For May, 1922 



155 



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Work for the Month in the Garden 



SAMUEL GOLDING 



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BY this date, around the middle of May, it can gen- 

 erally be regarded as safe to plant outside the more 

 hardy plants that have been raised in the greenhouse 

 and frames. Their capacity is always over-taxed during 

 the early ■May days and any opportunity to relieve the 

 congestion is welcome. The recent severe frosts and cold 

 winds remind us that some precaution is necessary, that it 

 often pays best to go slowly, and that, if we take early 

 chances, we have a reserve supply on hand. One must 

 be careful to see that the stock is thoroughly hardened 

 before planting out into its permanent C|uarters. .Always 

 utilize the most sheltered and sunny borders for early 

 crops. 



If showery and warm weather prevails, the growth of 

 the early sown seeds becomes more apparent each day. 

 Peas should be staked early to keep them growing erect. 

 Keep up successions of late peas until the end of the 

 month. After that time peas cannot be regarded as a 

 paying crop to plant in most localities. Sweet corn and 

 lima beans take the place of peas, when their usefulness 

 is past. 



riant out tomatoes, sweet corn, squash, and all of the 

 more hardy vegetables raised in frames, but it is wise to 

 defer the planting out of egg plant and the more tender 

 sorts until the ground is warm. 



Sow bush limas, melons, cucumbers, squash, okra, etc., 

 and pole limas, if climatic conditions permit. There is 

 nothing gained in hurrying on with the planting of this 

 crop of the soil is wet and cold. Sow string beans at 

 frequent intervals ; also carrots, beets, and salads. The 

 cultivator should be kept active between the rows of the.^e 

 crops when growing. 



Plant out the early celery and transplant the latter 

 seedlings into well prepared soil to encourage good root 

 action, which is an asset when they are set into their 

 growing quarters. 



Cut over the asparagus beds daily, removing all weak 

 and deformed growths, which tend to exhaust the crown;. 

 to no useful purpose. Give the beds a dressing of super 

 phosphate, or other approved fertilizer. 



Mulch the strawberry plantations with clean straw 

 before the fruit is far advanced, which prevents damage 

 from heavy rains, and contact with the soil. 



.Ml varieties of annuals can now be sown outside for 

 late blooming. Those which were sown previously will 

 require transplanting, and will soon make splendid plants 

 to take the place of the Spring blooming species. Some 

 of the most hardy, and those raised in frames for early 

 cut flowers, can be planted out where they are to bloom. 

 Among such are candytuft, larkspurs, annual phlox, an- 

 tirrhinums, verbenas, stocks, asters, which will be safe if 

 planted where they can secure protection if necessary. 



The flower gardens will be a blaze of color during the 

 first weeks of Mav, as the cold weather of April retarded 

 many plants which usually bloom during the last weeks of 

 that month. Flowering shrubs and spring flowers at this 

 time make a display unsurpassed during the whole year. 

 Darwin and other May flowering tulips supply the main 

 feature in the beds, their great range of colors being ad- 

 mirably adapted for color schemes in which the Breeders 

 are a wonderful asset. At this season it is an excellent 

 plan to make notes for future reference as to the outstand- 



ing merit of any particular varieties and their qualitie-- for 

 our special purposes. 



Disbud p^-onies if fine individual blooms are desired. 

 If the weather is dry and the soil light, a good manural 

 watering will assist them when their buds are swelling. 

 These plants have a deservedly wide and ever growing 

 popularity, their varied forms and colors make them 

 second to none as a cut flower for home decoration and 

 an embellishment for the garden. 



Plant out fl \aciiithus candicans and gladioli. As 

 sweet peas are growing rapidly, it is necessary that they 

 be well staked, or if trained on netting, they should be 

 tied up frequently. 



Keep an eye on rrjse bushes, watching out for the 

 small caterpillar which destroys the young growth and 

 buds. It is easily detected as it rolls up the leaves and 

 hides in the center, where it can be dealt with. .Spray 

 early aphis and milden on these bushes. 



Delphiniums, campanulas, hollyhocks, and other early 

 Summer flowering plants should be staked before they 

 have grown too tall and can be easily ruined by sudden 

 heavy rains and winds. 



Cut back flowering shrubs after they have passed out 

 of bloom, and see that newly planted shrubs and trees do 

 not sufter from drought. When watering them, do it 

 thoroughly. 



June 



All parts of the vegetable garden will now have their 

 full quota of growing crops, and one of the most im- 

 portant tasks will be the thinning out of young seedlings 

 as soon as they are large enough to handle. It is ob- 

 vious that this should be done early so that the plants to 

 be raised will not be drawn or spindly from being too 

 crowded at the early stages. It is equally as important 

 with plants grown outside as with those grown under 

 glass that they have plenty of room for development to 

 encourage stocks and sturdy plants. 



The hoe and cultivator should always play an important 

 part in the garden during this month; frequent and deep 

 soil stirring must be the order of the day. Not only does 

 this conserve the moisture in the soil, but it keeps down 

 weeds which are very persistent throughout June, and 

 especially so, after warm rains. Artificial watering will 

 have to be resorted to and when necessary, give it thor- 

 oughly. If watered sparingly, the plants are more in- 

 jured than otherwise as the first hour's sunshine dries it 

 up, leaving only a baked surface. 



To fight the various pests which will now trouble us 

 from time to time requires our diligent watching and 

 constant attention. Spray for fungoid and insects; 

 caterpillars, cut worms, rose bugs, potato bugs are' 

 among those to be combated. The gardeners of today 

 are fortunate in having so many good antidotes to keep 

 these enemies in check. 



To drive ofif potato bugs which appear on warm, 

 sunny days, cultivate well between the potato hills and 

 spray. Paris Green is eft'ective if flea beetle is prevalent. 

 Dust the plants over in the mornings when the dew is still 

 on them, with lime and soot. It is a persistent insect and 

 often demands strong measures to get rid of it. 

 (Continued on f^agc 157) 



