THE GARDEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 22, 6 November 1940, Page 3

THE GARDEN

GENERAL ROUTINE WORK. (Written for the “ Guardian ” by W. B. Buockie, N.D.H., N.Z.) THE GREENHOUSE. Cyclamen that are past the flowering stage should bo stood outside in a shaded position. A cry little watering will be required during the summer, but the soil should not be allowed to become bone dry. Young plants raised frbm seed sown last autumn should now be getting well established in three inch pots. Keep them in a ligJit position and attend regularly and carefully to watering. . Seeds of Primula malacoides should be sown some time this month to provide a batch»of plants for flowering next winter. Tuberous begonias that were start Jd into growth in boxes of light leafsoi should now be sufficiently advanced for transferring to pots. Give them goo i drainage and a soil that is- light, i it- l and rough. Do not pot too firmly. On bright days spray the foliage with clear water in the morning and evening. Keep the house cool-by damping the floors and benches. Except on dull days plenty of air should be admitted. Do not allow -cactus and succulent plants to become too dry at the roots. They are putting on new growth now and this has a tendency to shrivel it the water supply is insufficient. Stand them in a position where they will get full sunshine and a good circulation of air. Maiden-hair ferns that were not repotted in fresh soil in the spring will be improved in growth and colour of the fronds if watered occasionally with weak liquid cow manure. Do not expose them to direct sunlight or they will lose their freshness. THE FLOWER GARDEN. Vacant spaces in the herbaceous bolder should be filled as soon as possible with summer bedding plants such as scabious, salpiglossis, tagetes, antirrhinums, godetia and dianthus. At the back of the border plant dahlias, varie<rated maize, sunflower, cannas- and castor oil plant, Hoo and weed the border thoroughly before planting and i the surface is dry apply a good sprinkling of water when tlie weeds have shrivelled. Delphiniums, lielcniums, nuchaefmas daisies, and other tall growing permanent occupants of the herbaceous border should be staked and tied. A 1 weak growths should be removed. Dry positions in tlie flower garden should be reserved for plants that can withstand a fair amount of drought. These include zonal, geraniums, zinnias,petunias, nasturtium, arctotis and African marigolds. If the soil is poor give it a heavy dressing of blood and bone manure and work, this well into the ground with a - fork before planting. A good effect is sometimes produced in a bed of poor dry soil by planting it with succulents and various species of cacti wjiich are commonly grown under glassed verandahs. Many of them will withstand a considerable amount of frost, but tlie best practice is to take them under -cover for the winter and replant for tlio summer display. Herbaceous perennials suitable for a dry position include arabis, aubreitia, cerastium, Alyssum saxatile, Californian fuchsia, gazania, pinks, Lychnis coronaria and Giant fee a Thrift. This list could be greatly extended and besides, there is a large, number of low growing shrubs which can effectively be mterplanted With them such as rock roses, lavender, Diosma coinplexa, lithospermum, and various species of broom. Undoubtedly, however, all of 'these sun-loving plants would show to best advantage in association with rockwork.

Rhododendrons and lilacs should have the seed pods removed soon after the petals fall to conserve their energy for flower production next year. A start may now be made to sow herbaceous perennials of all kinds. Sow in pots or boxes and prick off the seedlings into boxesW rich soil where,they will remain until ready for planting out in -Jie autumn or next spring.

Wallflower may ho sown now. This is best sown in drills like lettuce in the open garden. When the plants are four inches high transplant them to a nursery plot, spacing them eight inches apart in the row and one foot between the rows. From about the middle of January to April wallflower should bo sprayed with arsenate of lead at regular fortnightly intervals to protect them from the grubs of diamond back moth.

Newly established lawns, especially if sown this spring, should not be too closely cut during the first season. Raise the knives of the mower by low 1 ering the roller at the back. During hot dry weather give copious waterings with a lino sprinkler. Bulbs of narcissus, hyacinths, crocus, tulips and snowdrops may now be safely removed from the ground and stored in boxes of moist sand in a shaded position outside. ,If large quantities are to be dealt with it will probably be more practicable to transfer them to nursery rows in the open garden. Remove sucker growths" from ornamental prunus and apple trees. Laburnum trees too have a tendency to develop sucker growths at the base of the trunk. These, if allowed to grow, spoil the shape of the tree and should lie suppressed early. Twigs arising from the main trunk are best pulled oil’. The suckers from below ground level may bo effectively dealt with by prising them off with a spade.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN. Raspberry plantations should be hood regularly to suppress weeds and suckers. If dry weather continues give strawberry beds a good watering. Spray apple trees with arsenate of lead for the control of codlin moth. Direct the spray patricularly to the fruit clusters whore the moth lays its eggs.

Mulch gooseberry and black and rod currant bushes with strawy stable manure. Old bushes that have in previous years borne heavy crops will be greatly benefited by a dressing of fish manure lightly forked into the soil. Thin carrots, parsnips, beet, turnips, and lettuce before the young plants become drawn.

Sow French beans and green pons. Runner beans should be sown without delay.

Brussels sprouts may now be plante

ed. They require rich and deeply cultivated soil, but it should be fairly firm at the time of planting. Spncy the plants two feet six inches between the plants and three feet between the rows. During dry weather Brussels' sprouts require to be kept well watered. Protect the plants from white butterfly by spraying them at fortnightly intervals with arsenate of lead. Sow broccoli and savoy cabbage. These should be ready for planting out about Christmas time.

If greenfly lias appeared on carrots spray immediately with a suitable insecticide. This can be made by dissolving one pound, of soft soap in four gallons of boiling water to which is added one cupful of kerosene. Apply while still somewhat warm.