THE GARDEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 299, 30 September 1939, Page 3

THE GARDEN

GENERAL ROUTINE WORK. (Written for the “Guardian” by W. B. Brockie, N.D.IJ., N.Z.) THE GREENHOUSE. Pelargoniums are now making free growth in their flowering ipots. Overcrowding should be avoided or the young shoots will become drawn and in this condition the flower heads produced will be small. Give each plant a clear space on the bench and full exposure to sun. Feed the plants oecasionafly with a solution of loz superphosphate and half an ounce of sulphate of potash in 2 gallons of water. Continue to pot up Japanese crysanthenmms as the cuttings become rooted. A good soil for this first potting is made up of 2 parts fibrous loam, 1 part leafmould and 1 part sand. A small quantity of wood ashes and a 4-inch ipotful of' bonemeal can be added to one barrowload of the mixture. Repotting of cactus and succulent plants can now be undertaken. Large established plants do not require a shift each year and it is only when they appear to be deteriorating or when it is ' desired to divide them or to renew the drainage that they should be disturbed. Cactuses should always have a restricted root run to ensure the production of flowers. Increase the water supply to pll kinds as the weather becomes warmer. Seedlings of tuberous begonias should be pricked off when they are still very small. This is rather a delicate job and requires the exercise of patience but if the surface soil is made fine and smooth and perfectly level there is little difficulty in transferring them. The soil should contain sufficient leafmould, very finely sieved and plenty of sharp sand to ensure free drainage of water. For a few days after pricking off, cover the a boxes with a pane of glass to preserve a close atmosphere, and lightly shade with a single sheet of newspaper. 'When they have become established the glass can be removed but it will be necessary for a week or two to continue the shading during bright sunshine. Never allow these small seedlings to become dry at .the root. THE FLOWER GARDEN.

Mixed flower borders that were dug over early in spring will be benefitted by hoeing to break up the surface and to suppress small weeds. Herbaceous plants having fibrous roots may still be divided and replanted but there should be no delay in getting finished with this work as it wall not be long before they are at their period of rapid growth. Seeds of annuals may be sown in the spaces between the permanent occupants of the herbaceous border. Where there are spring flowering bulbs the seed, may be sown close to the clumps so that when the bulb foliage has been cut over the space will be quickly refurnished. Good subjects for this latter purpose are Virginian stock, mignonette, candytuft, sweet alyssiim, cornflower, nemophila and shirleyi poppy. Dahlias that have been stored through the winter in a frost proof shed may now be plunged in light soil mixed witli decayed leaves in a sunny frame and watered to promote growth. The tops of the tubers should protrude above "the soil. Continue to plant rhododendrons, kalmias, heaths, magnolias afid ornamental conifers. Make the soil firm around their roots. If the soil is moist at the time of planting no watering will be required immediately, but if the weather remains dry for a week afterwards give them a good soaking. Box edgings can now be trimmed with the hedge shears. First cut the top level (o the required height then stretch a garden line in the exact centre along the top and trim the sides. Plant chabaud carnations raised from seed sown last autumn. A rich sandy soil suits them. ’ v Many of the showiest annuals can now be sown under glass, including asters, ursinia, dimorphotheca, venidium, zinnia, African and French marigolds, and salvia. These are all sun loving plants, requiring warm conditions throughout their life. Petunias, salpiglossis, antirrhinum, scabious, verbena, lobelia and other bedding plants sown early in spring should now be growing freely. Do not coddle them too long under glass but transfer them to open frames where they will get full sunlight to harden them. Cut back any branches of deciduous shrubs which are growing into evergreens. Ornamental conifers, especially, should bo guarded against the encroachment of other shrubs as they soon lose thier foliage when shaded.

VEGETABLES. A sowing of runner Leans can now Le made. This vegetable produces a prolific crop when grown well and it is worth while to prepare the soil properly beforehand. An open sunny situation suits it best. Dig out a trench 18 inches deep and 18 inches wide and folk up the soil in the bottom incorporating with it a good dressing of bonemeal. Next place about six inches of farmyard manure in the trench then about the same amount of soil and fork deeply to mix the manure with the soil. Tramp this fairly firm then fill up. the remainder of the trench. The seed should lie sown 2 inches deep in a double row, placing them 9 inches apart each way. It is important to provide stakes lor them early. These should he 6 or 7 feet long. Wire-netting is also useful for supporting them. Dwarf or French beans can also be sown. If the soil has previously been dug and manured it “will require little further preparation but a dusting of lime may be beneficial and this should he well forked into the ground. Sow the seed 6 inches apart and 2 inches deep. If there is more than one row space the rows 3 feet apart. Sow marrows and pumpkins in ground that has been deeply cultivated and heavily manured. Sow turnip-rooted boot for summer use. The long-rooted varieties should be sown about the beginning of November. These if lifted jn the autumn and properly stored in sand in a cool shed will keep in good condition until the

following spring. Make a sowing of brusscls sprouts to provide plants for setting out about the end of November. Sow maize and salsify, also peas, lettuce, turnips, spinach and radish for succession. Onions should be sown without delay also parsnips and carrots if those are not already in. Hoe and fork among all growing crops. Frequent surface cultivation is beneficial to the soil in conserving moisture and eliminating weeds. A few tomato plants may be set out in a warm position where they can he readily covered at night if there is a prospect of frost.