GARDENING NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 28, 19 July 1923, Page 51

GARDENING NOTES

(By Mr. J. Joyce, Landscape Gardener, Christchurch.) WORK FOR THE MONTH OF JULY. The Vegetable Garden.—This month’s work in the garden should be a continuation of that outlined for June As very little vegetable planting can be done digging and manuring vacant spaces intended for cultivation should bo the main work at present. As recommended in previous notes the surface of the dug soil should be allowed to remain in a rough and open state. The more the manure used in the vegetable garde'll the better .will be the quantity and quality of the crops. ! Hie present is a good time to prepare an asparagus bed, and for this purpose dig in a plentiful supply of decayed stable manure witli a good sprinkling of rough bone meal, then cease operations till September, when the plants may be obtained at the nursery. Ihe plants should not be more than three years old and require to be planted about 2ft apart. An asparagus bed !s a very profitable part of the garden, and when once established it will last for many years. Early peas and beans may now be sown, taking care to protect the yomm shoots and even seeds from the small birds. If brocolis arc coming on too quickly bend over a few of the leaves to protect the heads from frost. The Flower Garden.-Continue the digging and tidying ' up ol the beds and borders, shifting shrubs and plants which have grown too big and out of place. .All strong growing roses, and climbers may be planted in shady situ a" ions. Plant all cuttings at least 6 to 9 inches deep, leaving two or three'inches above ground and stamping them firmly at the base. All soft-wooded cuttings in boxes require to-be kept fairly dry and have all decaying leaves picked oft. The lawn should be well rolled ’ while the ground is m a soft state, and if the grass is in a, poor condition give a top dressing of good rich soil, and when ' dry a rolling and followed by a raking. The soil should not be walked on during wet weather, and digging delayed until the soil is in a fit state for. handling. x - ‘ The Fruit Garden.— and spraying requires to be well advanced and 'thus conclude the winter’s work so that the work in other departments for early spring may be attended to. If planting is to be done this should be seeivto without delay— sooner the better—so that the trees will have time to make a , good start when the spring growth sets in. Root-prune trees which are inclined to make more wood than fruit; this is done by digging down halfway around the base of the tree, throwing out the soil, and cutting back all the strong growing roots also excavating to get at the tap roots. All this work requires to be done with a clean sharp spade. Prune at once all vines under glass; if left too late they bleed from the cuts, especially if the sap is making a start to flow. Clean away all loose bark from the canes. If you have genius, industry will improve it; if you have none, industry will supply its place.