THE GARDEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 41, 27 November 1937, Page 5

THE GARDEN

GENERAL ROUTINE WORK.

(Written for tlici “Guardian” by J. A. McPherson, N.D.H., N.Z.) UNDER GLASS. Sow seeds of calceolarias, primulas, and cinerarias in shallow boxes or pans of fin© soil to which a portion of sand and leaf mould i(or extra well rotted manure) has been added. Tuberous rooted begonias are the main plants requiring attention at the present time. The more advanced may have the shoots carefully staked out with short bamboo stakes. Sometimes a large coarse-growing leaf plant develops on a plant and over-shadows the young growing shoots; this may be safely cut off with benefit to the plant and more especially to the young shoots. Since begonias are becoming such favourites for summer greenhouse work a fuller description of their cultivation and evolution will be given fa ter. Keep a correct atmosphere for all greenhouse plants, damping down floors and benches and syringing growing, foliage as weather permits. THE FLOWER GARDEN. Owing to fine weather experienced of late most gardens are very free from weeds, since one good hoeing on a bright day destroys most of them. In the flower garden work at the present time consists mainly of staking plants and thinning out annuals which have been sown broadcast. Pay careful attention to sweet peas by seeing that the ground in which they are growing is sufficiently well watered. One reason for short stems is the fact that plants are suffering for want of sufficient water. ■ Carry out this operation well, a mere sprinkling is of no benefit, and attend to the cutting off of all dead blooms. Remove spent blooms from roses and assist, buds to open by applying weak applications of liquid manure The season is getting late for planting annuals and any to be planted must be got into their position immediately. Remove all seed pods from anemones and ranunculus, and clear away ripened foliage on narcissii. Five to six strong shoots arc sufficient to leave on each clump of Michaelmas Daisies. Later on, each of the shoots may he staked with a thin manuka stake, which will result in giving a splendid display of bloom from' the many side branches developed during summer.

Plant out dahlias and border chrysanthemums, giving each plant a good watering immediately it is placed in position. ' These two plants may be beneficially under-planted with. a ground-work of any free blooming annual. ‘ l.he annuals being of quick growth and early flowering are very welcome ' until these late summer and early autumn subjects commence to bloom.

Roses this season are growing strong and healthy. Watch for green-fly and spray at the first signs of attack. “Black-spot” is another fungus disease which attacks rose leaves. It is jjist noticed as small black blotches on the leaves, these gradually increase in size the leaves become sickly and turn yellow, finally dropping off. Should this disease make its appearance, spray with potassium sulphide at the rate of one ounce to four gallons of water. To produce the best blooms from roses, disbudding is absolutely essential. This is an easy operation and is quickly carried out by pinching out all but the Heading or main, bud at the head of each shoot. Keep the surface well stirred in all the beds. FROST ON SEEDS. The seeds of all flowering trees and shrubs such as berberis, rosa, cotoneaster, prunus, etc., are generally sown during the present month. Owing to the hard seed-coat many take a long while to germinate. It has been found, however, that if the seed boxes and pans are set out in the garden for the winter months the action of frost has a .decided beneficial, effect on hardcoated seeds and many of them will shoot away in the early spring. MANUKAS. Leptospermum scoparium var Niehollsii is the crimson manuka and one of the finest flowering shrubs obtainable. Variety Chapmanii is the pink form and more .showy at the distance than the former. Seeds of either of these two varieties as well as the doubleflowered white, do not come true to seed; hut it is interesting to sow seed and watch the various shades of pinks and reds appear here and there throughout a batch of seedlings. One can rely on picking out the red flowering varieties by observing the darker foliage and stems of some of the seedlings. A warm sunny border suits them best and they are not particular as to soil requirements. WEEDS IN PONDS. To clear a pond of the lower forms of plant life which grow in “scums” or “flannel” like masses on the surface, copper sulphate is used. It is first necessary to calculate the cubic content of the water in the pond by multiplying together the length, breadth, and average depth in feet. Next multiply the result by six, which- will give the approximate number of gallons oi water in the pond. For each ten thousand gallons put two and a half ounces of copper sulphate in a hag and draw it through the water until all is dissolved. This amount will not destroy water-lilies nor affect any fish with the exception of trout. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Better crops are obtained from well staked peas than those which have been let to grow at will. Any time from now on Celery may he planted in their specially prepared trenches. Place the plants a distance of six to eight inches apart and water them thoroughly. Never ail.jw yo : mg celery to become dry at 'the roofs during the hot days of summer. The organic manures dug info the soil previous to planting should, supply all the nitrogen required. If, however, the plants appear slow in growing away, water with nitrate of soda at the rate of one ounce to four gallons of water. This application of nitrate must not he overdone otherwise the stems become soft and “frothy” inside.

Earth up potatoes, supplying them with a dressing of artificial manures prior to carrying out the work. Scatter the following on the ground at the rate of twelve pounds to forty square yards, 4 parts superphosphate and 1 part of sulphate of ammonia. Unless used for the supply of fresh

young plants, all runners must be kept off strawberry plants. Raspberries at this time of the year send up many suckers. Leave six to nine of the strongest on each plant and ilioe out the rest. If this matter is not attended to, plantations soon become unmanageable. Ground from which early lettuce has been taken should be dug over as soon as possible and a root crop of carrots, parsnips or beet sown. The manure which was d,ug in before the lettuce were planted will be sufficiently well rotted to prevent any “forking” of the roots in these crops. Thin out all early sown vegetables, settling the soil back round the remaining plants. Should, it lie necessary to water the plants after thinning, do the work thoroughly by giving the rows a copious supply of water. A iight sprinkling does more harm than good in very dry weather. Sow all kinds of beans, and earth up growing crops of cabbage and cauliflower. During the coming warm months it is advisable to plant cabbages and cauliflowers in shallow trenches to protect them from wind and heat, and also- to assist them in keeping moisture round the roots. As the plants develop, the trenches may be filled in, an operation which helps to steady the plants against the wind. iSow broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Savoy and Drumhead cabbages to be in readiness for planting out when the first potato crops are lifted,. Constant hoeing is necessary between all growing crops, a bright day with a light wind to shrivel, the weeds where they are lying is ideal for the purpose.