THE GARDEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 186, 21 May 1941, Page 3

THE GARDEN

GpNiRAI ROUTINE WQRK. (Written for the “ Guardian ” by AV. B, Brookis, N.P.H., N.Z.) PLANTS UNDER GLASS. Reckling pelargoniums which are heirtg- wintered in glass covered frames h'ill require protection against frost. Jjabk 'ipatfing; should be sjpread pv-e-r the• sashes hyery oyening dml: removed ax-soon" as the "frost : has lifted in the mcmihgi Ax the day' becomes ipildoy adnpt plenty of air. If the cuttings arc kept too close there will be danger ot mildew causing serious damage to them. Viola, pentstemon and calceolaria cuttings should also he allowed plenty of ventilation 'whenever conditions' are i ayourable. Beep the soil stirred between the rows of cuttings to preven tt he growth of moss or green film. Little watering will be needed during dull weather. • ■ ■ Cinerarias coming into flower will be improved by the application of weak liquid cow .•manure at alternate waterings. Greenfly, which causes much damnge to the flower- buds and leaves is best- controlled by fumigating the house with a nicotine preparation. Scbizanthus for flowering in spring should now be established in five-inch pots. 'Secure them upright with light stakes and allow them,plenty of space on- the -bench to preserve healthy ;grdw.th.'., ■■■ >,• j ', • ! • : Ooleus cannot lie held over the winter without artificial heat; indeed, unless a fairly high temperature can be maintained specimens large enough for bench display are not a success owing to their lack of bright colour. In any case it is best to use coleus for summer display only. To hold them over the winter cuttings should be taken now and rooted in sand in a warm part of the house. AVlien roots have farmed transfer them to three-inch pots and stand them clpse together where they will get plenty of light. About the beginning of August shift them to four-inch pots and when they have branched to form a bushy head secure fresh cuttings and; grow these on until the- plants are large enough to be placed in eight-inch pots. Secure cuttings of tender gazanias. mesembrianthemums. and succulent plants. All of these root readily in pure sand. Keep them through the winter on a shelf of the greenhouse well-up to the roof glass. Tuberous begonias should now be stored away after cleaning off the tops. THE FLOWER GARDEN.

Except for a few chrysanthemums, and here and there some belated blooms the mixed flower border has lost all of its earlier beauty. The time has come to make a clean sweep of all withered top growth. First remove all stakes and store these away in bundles. Michaelmas daisies, phlox, heleniums and such like are cut over about two inches from ground level. In the ease of red-hot-pokers and agapanthus, dead or dirty foliage trailing around the base of the plants should boi pulled away. These plants usually harbour colonies of woodlice and in the case of red-hot-pole or s particularly, if the lower leaves are left on the plants during the winter the pests a;ro sure to increase enormously. During a dry autumn it is an easy matter to suppress w r ecds' in the border by hoeing, thus making it reasonably tidy for the winter but owing to the moistness of tho soil and the damp atmosphere it will be .necessary this year to lightly spade over the ground and bury them. In the rock garden clean up all fallen leaves which have blown into the pockets. If any reconstruction work has to be clone, now is a suitable time to attend to it. Alost rock garden plants enjoy a free and deep root run and perfect drainage. The soil should be of a gritty nature, To provide good drainage the floor of the excavation may be covered with flat rocks stood on end. Over these rocks lay -a mat of some fibrous material such as manuka branches which will prevent the soil above from filling up the spaces between the roeks. Plant narcissus and wood-hyacinths in semi-wild gardens such as old orchards or in open spaces in woodlands. Avoid planting the bulbs in straight lines or in formal shaped clumps. A good way to obtain an informal and pleasant effect is to throw the bulbs carelessly on the ground and plant them where they fall. Out over dahlias and dig up the. tubers. These should be stored in sand or cinders in a frost-proof shed. The tubers will survive the winter in the open ground hut it is more satisfactory to lift them to allow proper cultivation of the soil and their replacement with spring-floweiring subjects such as wallflower and polyanthus. The present is a suitable time to plant rhododendrons. Small leaved kinds generally prefer an open, sunny position, the smaller growing species being often used with charming effect in the rock garden. Large-leaved varieties on the other hand require thin shade and a situation well, sheltered from strong winds. If big specimens aro to be shifted to new positions dig out a trench round the plants so that they can be lifted with a large ball of soil, Rhododendrons are surface rooting so deep planting should be guarded against. , , , , Rose hushes may he planted from now on until the middle of August hut there' is no doubt that onil\ planting gives the best result. If the beds were prepared well beforehand as advised some weeks ago in these notes it will he necessary only to level the surface and carry on with the planting forthwith. Bush roses may bo spaced two or two and a-lialf feet apart. Spread the roots outwards and slightly downwards. Some clean fresh soil Should be worked in around them and vory firm before filling up tno holes. The junction of stock and scion when planted should bo one and a-lialf inches from the surface. THE KITCHEN GARDEN.

Gooseberries and red currants may be pruned as soon as the leaves have fallen. First cut out all dead wood and Superfluous branches, doling lateral twigs are snipped back to two or three buds; from the base while terminal shoots are reduced to. slightly less thafi half their length. Where young plants are required, some of the pruniiigs should l be selected for cuttings. These should lie made about ten inches in length. Remove nll of the buds except three at the top of the cutting and insert them about two-thirds of their depth in sweet loam making them very firm at the base. Black currant cuttings should not have the buds removed. , Vacant plots should be dug or

trenchocl and in tlic process well manured with duns. Leave the surface rough. . Keep the surface soil well stirred amonj; autumn planted crops. Cabbage, cauliflower and pea ft should have a little soil drawn lip to them to form neat ridges. Autumn broccoli should have a few of tho leaves doubled over the heads to protect them from frost damage.