GARDENING NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 6 October 1921, Page 31

GARDENING NOTES

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

WORK FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.

The Vegetable Garden. month, providing the weather and soil conditions are favorable, should be availed of to. carry on gardening operations on an extended scale. Sow a good supply of peas, broad and French beans, cauliflower, cabbage, and brocoli, also carrot, onion, parsnip, spinach, lettuce, and other seeds according to, needs. Plant out cabbage and cauliflowers in well-manured ground;; artichokes and potatoes will now, too, need attentionConstant use of the. Dutch hoe will be found necessary to cope with the growth of weeds. If weeds are not kt<pt in check they will soon smother the young seedlings, which means a loss of both time and produce. To prove effective the work of weeding should be done during fine weather. A point to be well remembered in vegetable culture is that they should not be subject to any check during growth; neglect in this respect not alone lessens the quantity but also affects the quality. Asparagus will by now be producing, and, if this has not already been done, will require a light forking over to make the soil surface clean and porous. . ' ' ■:■' ".'.

The Flower Garden.—Now is the time to sow all outdoor hardy annuals. Prepare patches in v the borders by turning up a few spadesful of soil and breaking it down fine to receive the seed, which germinate better in fresh soil. Sow thinly and cover over very lightly, patting the soil firmly down. When the seedlings are well advanced in . growth they require to be thinned out, leaving some (according to the nature of the plant) a suitable distance apart, and transplant the remainder to other portions of the borders. Plants grown in pots and boxes under cover should be, also thinned out.and the surplus" replanted in other receptacles; with watering and other careful treatment these will, provide a good supply of healthy material for later planting but. Geraniums and similar tender plants which have been kept housed during the winter, will harden off preparatory to, planting out if removed to a sheltered position in the open. It is not advisable to'plant tender varieties-out of doors too early, as there is always a. possibility of frost apoearing 'even as:' late as November. The beginning of that month will be soon enough for the bedding ; out of choice tender plants. . '_)"-T^f"._■ '". s\;!>:tj V ? . v " " : ' '

r The Fruit Garden. —With the pruning and spraying completed little remains to lie 'done; amongst the fruit trees., Vines growing in greenhouses should- be attended -to ; now by having all the surplus buds rubbed off, leaving one good strong bud to each shoot. While admitting plenty of-fresh air on fine days.? cafe must be taken to avoid a draught through the greenhouse, as such would injuriously; affect the young tender, shoots. Air admitted from the top "is. always the Safest. Keep a look out for mildew, and if this should appear shake sulphur the affected part. Sprinkle the floor on warm sunny days to create a warm, moist "atmosphere. Now is a good time to do .grafting in the garden. Newly-planted trees, will - do. better if i carefully * staked to keep 'them firm, ; while : a. mulch of stable manure .will prove beneficial -to them during the summer months.