A time for garden planning

Press, 25 June 1981, Page 13

A time for garden planning

With the hectic days of summer and autumn over, gardening in early winter takes on a new twist. It is a time for garden planning and working out what improvements need to be made around the home and garden. Winter is a good time to replenish the soil. This is an on-going process in the vegetable garden and needs constant attention if high soil •fertility levels are to be maintained. .

Growing green crops, digging in garden compost or applying a heavy mulch of peatmoss all help to improve garden soils. The use of garden lime about once every 12 months on heavy clay soils aids fertility. Landscaping and the layout of shrubs and trees is also best carried out in winter. Your garden should be something to be proud of and set off your home and section.

From time to time shrubs and trees require pruning or trimming to retain their proportions or shape. Some will

be overcrowded and may need to be thinned out to allow grooming room for those remaining or new plantings may be needed to fill gaps. This is also the main season for planting perennials and there is a wide variety to choose from. Liliums make a wonderful

focal point among shrubs and flowers. Plant them as a group to give impact for next season's summer flower displays. There is an endless variety of other perennials to choose from. Many naturalise readily and can be left to develop in permanent growing positions

where they will give a regular trouble free-flowering. Choose from achillea. agapanthus, alstroemeria, anemone, aquilegia, carnations, chrysanthemums, lupins. gerbera, helianthus, iris, scabiosa for easy and trouble- free flowering garden displays.