THE GARDEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 228, 9 July 1941, Page 3

THE GARDEN

GENERAL ROUTINE WORK.

(Written for the “Guardian” by VV. B. Broceie, N.D.H., N.Z.) PLANTS UNDER GLASS. Seed sowing of many bedding plants commences in real earnest at this time hut only those which take a comparatively long time to reach the stage when they can be planted out should be dealt with at present. These include edging lobela, antirrhinum, verbena, petunia, and scabious. About the end of the month sow elnrkia, larkspur stocks and such like that are quick growing and which can be planted out early being hardier than most. Too middle of August is early enough for a sowing of nomosin, visearin, I inrun, annual chrysanthemums, sweet nlyssum sweet sultan, cornflower, cosmos and other summer-flowering annuals. Late flowering kinds such as asters*, zinnias, salvia and the quick-growing hut tender sorts like ursiuia. dimorphuthera and vonidium are best sown in September.

The Livingstone Daisy (Dorothenntlius crinifloriis) is one of the most beautiful of South African annuals. It grows only a few inches high but its numerous branches spread into a mat about 15 indies in diameter studded all over with large, many-petalled, daisy-like flowers. The colours range from white to orange and pink with intermediate shades and. various blendings all of which will lie obtained from a. packet of seed. Planted one foot apart to cover a bank with a slight slope there is probably no plant in existence which makes such a dazzlingly brilliant display. The seed should he sown now, in heat for preference, though with due care it will germinate fairly well in an unheated glasshouse. When large enough the seedlings are pricked off into boxes of well drained sandy loam not too much enriched with leafmould. Grow them on under glass until the leaves arc almost touch ing those of the neighbouring plants then gradually harden them off for planting out- in late September. It is important that they should be in any case he planted before flowers arc formed. An open, sunny position should be chosen for them ns the flowers do not open when shaded.

Sow tuberous begonias, gloxinias and strcptocarpus for flowering in the greenhouse next summer and autumn. Sohizantlms, pelargoniums and calceolarias should be allowed plenty -U space on the bench - so that they will have a good circulation of air around them to promote stout growth.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. On poor, gravelly soils it is a waste of time planting shrubs which can only be satisfactory in ground rich in humus. There are many shrubs, however, which are well suited for poor ground and indeed they will make better flowering specimens than those with an abundant food supply. Among the lore most of ornamental shrubs which can safely be planted in such situations are the numerous varieties of broom, including cytisus pvaecox, C. hurkwoodi, lilac time and donnrd’s seedling. These have to lx* pruned hard -back immediately after the flowers have withered to maintain a bushy shape. Small prostrate brooms such as C. procumbeus are excellent for hanging over walls or for furnishing a rock work edge to the border. Low growing forms which have a spreading habit but. with erect branch lets include 0. ardoini and C. beam. Cistus or sun rose is another genus of great diversity of form and flower that prefers poor soil. The species purpureas, ladaniferus, formosus, florentinus and tine variety silver pink are among the best forms Other shrubs which prosper and flower beautifully in poor soil include genista germaniea, spnrtium junceum, berboris in' great variety, eseailonias of which the variety slievo donard is an excellent example, prostanthera, rosmary, abutilon vitifolia. tamarix, the anchor plant (colletia erucinta), cotoncaster in variety, lavatera oashincriana which flowers profusely in autumn, and oloaria rftelluluta. The list could be greatly extended but the above will serve to indicate the wide choice of high-class shrubs suitable for growing on dry soils naturally deficient in humus.

Continue to plant roses and all kinds of ornamental trees and shrubs. The colour forms of conifers including cupressus and juniper should not he overlooked as these are most valuable for their brightening effect in Avinter. Golden .and sih-er forms of euonymies and variegated privet, box, cleagnus

and liebe 1 arc also useful for that pur pose.

Prepare a trench for sweet peas raised from seed sown in. boxes or pots in early April. Sweet peas like fresh turfy ground especially of a. lirney nature hut if this is not available an endeavour should be made to replace some of the lower soil of the trench with a few barrowloads of brown pasture loam. Well decayed manure should be mixed through the soil below a foot from the surface. In the top soil fork in a dressing of sulphate of potash two ounces to the square yard and superphosphate four ounch.es to the square yard. The plants may he set out one foot apart about the end of the present month, hut before planting the supporting structure of poles and wire-netting should he erected. Attend to the repair of lawns. Hollows should have the turf removed in squares. Fork the soil an inch or two and till with enough fresh- soil, •tramping it firm, so that when the turves arc replaced they will he slightly above the surrounding level. -Sprinkle a little more soil over the patched area then after rubbing it into the crevices finish off with a hard boating with the back •of a spade. If moss is present' the lawn should he given a good hard raking followed next month by a liberal topdressing of richly manured soil.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN. Procure early potatoes foj seed purposes as soon as possible.. Those should be placed Avitli the eyes uppermost in a single layer in shallow trays to prepare them for planting. Stand the trays in .a position where they will get plenty of light without being exposed to frost—beneath a skylight in a shed is a good place for them. Sow onions in boxes for transplanting to a well-prepared plot in September. Artificial heat is necessary for good germination. AYhon the seedlings are two inches high prick them• off into boxes of richly manured soil. Tomatoes should be soavu in the greenhouse for groAving on indoors.

Sow cabbage and cauliflower under glass to provide plants for setting out in August. Vegetables in store should be examined. Any that are showing signs of decay should be removed. This applies to potatoes, marrows, onions, beet and carrots.

Advantage should be taken of frosty weather when the surface soil is hard to wheel manure on to plots in readiness for digging in.

Cultivate and manure a warm and well-drained border in preparation for an early sowing-of lettuce, radish and turnips. Whenever the soil is sufficiently dry on top point over the ground among growing crops with a. fork.