IN THE GARDEN

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22705, 9 May 1939, Page 5

IN THE GARDEN

WORK FOR THE WEEK CSPICU.IJ.T WBITTJSH TOB THB P8853.) [By W. J, HUMMJ t' ' ANSWER TO, CORRESPONDENT Eouthbrook. —Gooseberries, currants, loganberries. and rhubarb may be planteo from May until the end of August. Early winter planting gives best results. FLOWERS The recent rains have put the soil in a fit condition for planting. Such plants as polyanthus, aubretia, wallflowers, pansies, and other spring bedding plants should be planted without delay. Those who intend planting carnations should do so as soon as possible. If planted now they will get a root hold before the soil gets cold. The planting of shrubs and roses may be undertaken as soon as the subsoil is moist. Early planting has much to commend it. : If the plants are got in during the next few weeks, while the soil is yet warm, they will start root growth and become established before the cold, wet weather arrives. Push on with the cleaning,up of all beds and and remember , that many shrubs hate deep , cultivation. Rhododendrons, azaleas, > heaths, boronias, lilacs, are surface-rooted, and should be given shallow cultivation only. Disturbing their root systems at the present time is most detrimental to their health and also to their future flower crop. The same applies to all early flowering subjects. These are now maturing their flower buds and if their roots are disturbed „ the flower crop must suffer in consequence. Topdressing at present would do more good than spading around any surface rooting plants. Leaf-mould, well , decayed vegetable matter,, stack-bottom, or rotted manure will give the condition that surface root plants Bnjoy. ■a. At this time, when people are tidying up their gardens, they are tempted to prune their, shrubs with the object of improving them. Before undertaking this work know exactly what effect the pruning Will have on the plants and also on the future flower crop. The pruning of shrubs \t a very •>.. important factor in their cultivation, yet one which is very. often only partially understood. Many shrubs ,re- . quire no.pruning, while others proved and stimulated by correct methods. No hard and fast rules can be ■ laid down. ■ Each individual . family .. must be treated according to. its habits ..and requirements and-these-, can only be learned by practical experience and _ v. observation. Watch- closely when and how s a plant flowers,- as these sire chief . guides in pruning. . , The question frequently arises about ■which shrubs need to be pruned in winter, as it often happens that those 1 with little knowledge of their sub-

jects have pruned away wood in winter which a month or two later would have borne flowers had it been untouched. On the other hand, shrubs may have been left unpruned, and had the pruning-knife been used it may have given distinctly better results. As a rule, for those shrubs that flower in early winter,, spring, and up to November all necessary pruning should be done as soon as the flowers fade. They will then have time to make and mature new wood during the summer, and it is this wood that will bear the flowers in the following season. Most shrubs that flower after November, . produce their flowers on ytrung wood matured during the spring, and consequently any pruning required may be carried out during the winter. When pruning shrubs the object should be to improve their general appearance and to encourage greater freedom of blossom without destroying their natural character.. Too often one sees trees and shrubs cut and distorted into shapes which are hideous. Quite a safe way of improving many plants is thinning out. This means cutting out all weakly, crowded, and useless "growths, and the removal, if necessary. of a portion of the stronger ones. Many of the plants that resent having their leaders stopped may be improved this way and kept in a vigorous and healthy condition. Syringe a Philadelphus forsythia dentzias, and spiraeas often develop a dense mass off twiggy growth and judicious thinning out, not only promotes the development of a cleaner, stronger, growth, and consequently finer flowers, but it often gives a more graceful appearance to the plants. The thinning out style of pruning may be applied more or less to nearly all flowering shrubs. The winter is the best time to carry out this work. Thinning out need not be an annual operation; but how often and how much must be left to the pruner’s judgment. . > VEGETABLES Dig over deeply all vacant plots. If the soil lacks humus dig in plenty of stable manure or any green stuff. Plant cabbage and cauliflowers for early supplies. If the land is heavy, these are best planted on ridges, as wet land is often the cause of root rot. Sow in a sheltered place early peas and broad beans. x , Although September is the month to plant asparagus, it is a wise plan to prepare the bed for these now. Dig deeply, and work in at the same time plenty of well-decayed manure. If the" land is heavy, drainage must be given. A well drained, gritty loam suits asparagus best. Make the bed in a sheltered position in full sun and away from .the influence of tree roots. Established beds of asparagus will need attention now. As soon as the tops are brown cut them off- close to* the ground. Clean the beds of all weeds and rubbish, and top-dress with some light litter. Old decayed stack bottom is good. It is a common practice m many gardens to top-dress heavily asparagus

beds with wet manure during the winter, with a view of improving the crop next season. This is a mistake in more ways tnan one. In the first place, where the soil is heavy and naturally cold, a coating of heavy farmyard manure tends to keep the sun's rays from the bed, and the crop is much later in consequence. Again, the, roots are not .active during the winter, and therefore they cannot assimilate the manure. Consequently it is mostly lost. It is a far better practice to encourage top. growth by applying the manure after . cutting is finished, say, at the end of November or December. It is then that the roots need assistance, and the stimulation received by the roots throughout the summer is bound to have a beneficial effect- on - the next crop. Staking or tying up the growths to protect them from being blown about or broken off by the wind is very important. After cutting is finished the bed should be given attention in the way of root moisture, and liquid manure during periods of dry weather. SHRUBS One of the most outstanding autumntinted tree effective at present is the Chinese mountain ash, Pyrus' discolor. Where autumn-tinted foliage is desired few trees are more conspicuous. What this trees misses with berry effect it makes up for by the riot of beautiful autumn tints each year.