THE GARDEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 275, 2 September 1939, Page 3

THE GARDEN

GENERAL ROUTINE WORK. (Written for the “Guardian” by W. B. Brookie, N.D.H., N.Z.) THE GREENHOUSE. Primula malacoids requires less watering than most greenhouse subjects. If the soil is in a continually wet state damping off is almost sure to- occur. Always wlait till the pot gives a ringing sound when rapped before applying the watering can. Much of the trouble arising from over-watering would be obviated if more care was taken at potting time to ensure good drainage. As with all greenhouse plants which make growth during the winter and which have to be potted in autumn to provide flowers in spring the provision of good 1 drainage is most important. Included among these plants are Primulas malacoides,sinensis, and obconica, cinerarias, calceolarias, cyclamen, freesias? and Inchon alias. A large crock (a piece of broken flower pot) should just he placed, convex side upward, over the drainage hole. Pound this and overlapping it, a number of smaller crocks should cover the bottom of the pot and to finish the crocking spread at least half an inch of finer material. Next comes the layer of fibrous material so that no soil will be washed down to clog the- spaces between the crocks. Spent hops,, sphagnum moss and dry, decayed leaves are; used for this purpose. The latter, I think, is the best, especially English beech leaves which are crisp and slow to decay. They should be pressed firmly to a depth of about half an inch above the crocks. The soil compost too, must consist of •material that will allow water to pass throughout it freely. Leaf mould and sand, used in the right proportion will ensure this but the sand should not be too fine.

Syringe fuchsias frequently witli clean water to promote bud growth. .Repot asparagus, ferns, aiid all ornamental foliage plants such as palms, aspidistras, dracaenas and grevilleas'. Coleus that have been nursed through the winter should now be repotted into rich soil, or cuttings taken from them to provide a batch for summer display. The cuttings strike readily in a bed of fine leafmould and sand over bottom heat. THE FLOWER GARDEN. Gladioli may be planted at any time during spring and early summer. They do best in rich, well-drained soil. Plant the eorms four inches deep. Large clumps in the herbaceous border arevery effective. Endeavour to obtain some of the newer varieties of herbaceous perennials. Much improvement has been effected in recent years with border phlox, lupins, tritomas (red hot poker), aquilegias and especially delphiniums. Plant hedges of privet, olearid, holly, *yew and Lonicera nitida. The latter, a small leaved Chinese honeysuckle, stands clipping well and makes a,n excellent low edging to a shrub border provided it is not overhung by the shrubs. For a small hedge above a retaining wall does best on rich soil of a slightly heavy nature. If the soil is. lightj dig out a trench three feet wide and two feet deep and put a thick layer of decayed cow manure in the bottom, mixing a good quantity of the same material 'Vith the soil when replacing it in the trench. This work should really be; done in early winter to allow the soil to pack firmly with its own weight. If done now it must be tramped hard. There should be no delay in planting ornamental shrubs, as there will be little time for roots to establish themselves' before October, which is usually a month of hot drying winds. _ Attend to beds, of spring flowering subjects by giving them frequent surface cultivation. Plant carnations in well drained soil in a sunny situation. If manure is added to the soil it should not be lumpy. The nearer it can bo got to a powder the better and it should be well forked in. Make the roots very firm in the ground. Clumps of Japanese iris that showed signs of deterioration last summer will be greatly strengthened if top-dressecl with a mixture of equal parts cow maitv, ure and' soil. This should be done before young growth commences. The clumps may also be divided now. It is essential, of course, to plant them where the roots are always in damp soil, such as on the side of a pond or stream. They may also be grown in the flower border, of course, or in tubs, provided they are watered heavily and frequently during the season of growth. Remove old. flower heads from hydrangeas. 'Cut the stems back to a pair of strong buds. Old plants that are taking up too much space may have the branches cut half way hack. Try, l however, to retain a stub of last year s Wood on the end' of each branch. THE FRUIT GARDEN. If apple trees have not yet been pruned no time should bo lost in getting this done. Use. an oil spray to control scale. Finish the planting of all kinds of tree and bush fruits as early as possible, It is getting late for this work. Strawberries may be planted now. They require rich free soil cultivated two spades deep. 'Strong, well-rooted crowns will produce fruit next summer. March is, of course, the best month for planting strawberries as thei plants then get well established before the winter. Unless, strong crowns are obtained now itr will therefore bo be--ter not to allow them to bear fruit the first season or, alternatively, postpone the planting until March. Established plantations should be well cleaned of weeds and deeply forked between the rows. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Force rhubarb by covering strong clumps with boxes. Pilo stable littei or straw round the boxes. Sow tomatoes under glass to provide plants for setting out in October. Leeks for winter use should be planted sometime in December and may be. sown as soon as the weathei gets a bit warmer. The seed should be sown in a prepared bed outside. Inc bed need not lie large and where only a small number of plants are wanted an ordinary sized box as used ior bedding plants will be large enough to enclose! them. Choose an open position and dig out a hole six inches deep and slightly larger than the box, then fill it up level with a mixture of equal parts soil, and decayed stable manure. On top of this set the box with the bottom nut to make a small shallow frame. Next spread over the surface a thin laver of finer soil and after mak-

ing it level and smooth cow the seed not too thickly. Sprinkle sufficient soil to cover the seeds then give the- bed a good watering, taking care to do this sloavlv so that the surface soil av i 11 not he displaced. Cover the box with, a pane of glass and lightly shade with scrim until germination occurs. When the seedlings are up above the box put another box of similar size on top to ensure that the plants will have a good length of stem when planting time comes.