GARDENING NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 7 April 1921, Page 35

GARDENING NOTES

(By Me. J. Joyce, Landscape Gardener, Christchurch.)

■ • . •; ■ tv' ' WORK FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL. I I iyi'. >j , ; A The Vegetable Garden. —Select a fine day whett the soil is dry to finally mould up celery, taking care not to allow any of the soil to lodge in the heart of the plant. Asparagus will have completed its growth, for the season when the foliage turns yellow. It is time then to cut it down close to the ground, clear away the refuse, and fork up the surface of the bed to ©nr tirely free it from the roots of weeds. . If it is found that seeds have germinated in the bed ; remove the seedlings as , they appear, otherwise the bed will be spoiled in the spring by overcrowding. Give a good sprinkling of coarse salt and a covering of rotted farmyard manure to the bed, and, as the winter rains will wash the fertilising matter down to the roots of; the plants, no further attention will be necessary till the spring, i Attend to sea kale by heaping dry soil, sand, or coal ashes in mounds over the roots, then covering up with dry stable manure; or if the latter is not available boxes or cement barrels will answer. • Rhubarb roots may also be treated in the same manner. Keep planting cauliflower, brocoli, and cabbage, also sow a bed of cauliflower and cabbage seed to stand the winter and be ready for early spring planting. A sheltered position should be selected, or better still a garden frame, for protection from rough weather. Sow a bed : of giant rocco onion for early spring use, and of lettuce for transplanting early in the growing season. Keep the garden free from weeds before wet weather sets in, as such work then is unpleasant and unsatisfactory. The Flower Garden. Continue planting bulbs such as hyacinths, tulips, narcissi, ixias, sparaxis, and crocus; these require to be inserted three or four inches deep in the soil. Gladiolas should be lifted and stored away when the foliage dies down, as they deteriorate if left too long in the same place. Save the seed of plants, as it ripens for the next spring sowing. ' The seeds of hardy herbaceous plants may be sown on the bordeis now, but tender annuals should not be sown till the spring. Geranium, cuttings should be put in as soon as possible, using the hardy parts; sandy soil but little water is required to ensure vigorous growth. Now is a good time to sow down lawns, or renew or improve old ones requiring attention. Top dressing or a sprinkling of fertiliser should be applied to lawns which have not a healthy appearance. Heavy rolling after wet weather will improve the lawn and destroy the grass grub, which will now be much in evidence. A light sowing of lawn grass seed mixed with white clover and a sprinkling of light soil is the best for bare patches if done before rolling. Prune flowering shrubs which have finished blooming, and if others are needed these may be propagated now from cuttings if planted deeply and firmly. • The Fruit Garden. Ripe pears and apples should be now picked and stored away in a cool airy place, and the trees afterwards pruned, care being taken'to burn all primings to destroy insect pests. ;