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GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhni") Gorrespondcnls are notified that no replies tto (jiicries can bo furnished until February 3rd. utriwviNu Din: gaude.ns. In nearly every garden tliero is the dry border which produces, to .the despair of the 'amateur gardener, stunted, miJinppylooking plants. As a mlo it is on Uo dry side of the house, or under the shelter of a hedge or trees. But wherever it is, it is apt to spuil tho general effect of tho garden. By careful preparation or tho soil, and by a judicious clioico of plants, oven the dry border can bo made beautiful and attractive. In preparing tlie soil ordinary (loop digging is quite inadequate. Alark off a strip of tho garden, lift the top soil, and set it aside Tho subsoil should then bo deeply dug, and should have thoroughly mixed with it a good quantity of well-rotted stablo manure or decayed vegetation. Having done this, thoroughly saturate the sul>soil with water. The top soil from tho next strip may then be thrown on to the well-worked 6ubsoil of the first strip. Proceed to dig, add decayed, manure or and -water tho subsoil of tho second strip, which will then be covered i\;ith the top soil from tho third strip. So on to tho end of the garden, wnen the subsoil of the last strip will be covered with the top soil from the first. The subsoil so treated will provide a good rooting place for suitable plants for a very long time. Some hours before tho plants are put in. tho dry border should be thoroughly watered. If this is done in the evening, tho following day it is only necessary to hoe over tho ground, and it is then 'in splendid condition for the reception of plants. Fork a little bonedust into the bottom of each hole as the plants are put in, spread out the roots nicely, cover them very firmly with fine soil, and shade the plants from hot sun till tfiey are established. Once the plants are settled in their new homo the surface soil must be kept loose and fine by constant hoeing. The addition of a good mulch from time to time is also a big help to the plants. The following •plants may be grown with success in a sunny dry border so prepared:— For the. spring: Narcissi, mignonette, scilla, primroses, polyanthus primroses, wallflowers, and aquilegias. For the summer; Antirrhinums, pentstemons, poppies, begonias,, geraniums, pelargoniums, heliotrope (with an annual mulch of half-rotted stable manure), petunias, mignonette,. portulaca, mesembrynnthemum, gypsophila, zinnias, gaillardias, lavender, and lobelia. For tho autumn: Zinnias, rudbeekia (golden glow), mignonette, lobelia, perennial Biinllowers, michaelmns daisies (with pareful attention to mulching), belladonna lilies (if well-rotted stable manure and sand are added to the top soil as well aa to the 6ubsoil), alstrdemerias (if well mulched). The shady dry border is a little more difficult to manage.- but with care it can be kept attractive. Narcissi, scilla, aquilegia, primroses, and agathea will do well in the spriug aud early summer. Later a charming effect can be achieved with begonias alone. Pansies will do well if the soil is richly manured, and if a good mulch, and occasional good waterings, are provided as soon as the plants are established. In the . autumn' Japanese anemones will make a good display. Among flowering shrubs hydrangeas are splendid for a dry shady border if attention is paid to mrdohing during spring, summer, and autumn. By growing certain plants in tubs and kerosene tins one can always improve the hopelessly dry border. Tho tubs may be kept in a sunny part of tho garden till the plants are at their hest, .when they can be moved to fill in gaps in the dry shady gnrden. As they-begin to go off they may bo put back, into the sunny part of the garden again, and others can take their place in the shady one. Geraniums, heliotrope, lobelia, mignonette, chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, hardy ferns, arums, and many other plants arc suitable* for this treatment.

A'rock garden planted with ferns, begonias, primroses, cyclamen,, and other shade-loving plants is a favourite scheme for a dry, shady corner. It has this advantage, 100, that one can often grow successfully, in the pockets ainomr the stones, plants that would not flourish iu an ordinary garden bed. I saw, not lijng ago, a hopeless part of a garden under the shelter of a clump of mncrocarpa "frees, that had been cleverly turned 'into ono of tho most charming parts'of; the garden. The ground had been dug out to depth of about two feet after tho stylo of a. sunken garden, aud had then been paved with flat stones. A rustic fence of manuka, wood ran round the top of the littlo bank, and carefully made stono steps led down on one- side. Small, hardy ferns were growing in the crevices hetween the stones, and had also taken root, wherever they could, on tho littlo banks. Tubs of hydrangeas, geraniums, tall-growing ferns, variegated geraniums, and pots of lobelia and mignonette wero arranged on tho' ground and on stands of various heights to givo th o appearance of. a charming border round tho side's of tho littlo paved court. Ivy geraniums aud climbing roses— American pillar, Hiawatha, F/Xcelsa, Dorothy Perkins, and Dorothy Donnison —growing in tubs had climbed up and covered tho rustic fence. Climbing begonias, lobelia, and nsparagus ferns overflowed from their pots, and hung, like beautiful curtains, from tall stands till they were lost in. the flowers growing below. A rustic seat and tea table, round which clustered fragraut heliotrope in carefiiU-Jconcculed tubs, added the finishing touch to a truly charming spot. SEED FANS. Most gnrdeiierd will have finished planting out seedlings now, apd many seed pans will bo empty. These should bo cleaned and stored away m a dry place, and not left lying about. Very often thero aro still some seedlings left over after the beds have been filled. It seems a pity to waste these, for if a sparo corner can bo found for them somewhere, they will provide nn extra supply of cut flowers. Failing every other place they can often bo planted in rows in tho vegetable garden. One can hardly grow too many cut flowers at present, for 'Red Cross shops and stalls can make use of such large quantities. VEGETABLES. Seeds that may be sown this week, where necessary, are: Scarlet runner beans—Sow in ground that has been trenched and manured. Sow the seeds from six to eight inches apart, and about two inches deep. French beans—Sow in drills two feet,apart, and have the s?eds six inches apavt in the rows. Dust bonedust in the drills at the time of sowing the seed, and give a slight, dressing of superphosphate* as soon as the seedlings aro a' couple of inches high. Hadish— Sow broadcast in rich, firm ground, and in a shady position. Carrot—Sow thinly in drills 12 inches apart. Dutt bonedust in. tho drills when sowing, and sprinkle, superphosphate along the rows as soon as the seedlings are an inch or so high'Peas—Sow in drills from two lo three feet apart. .Ground -should be trenched and manured and should have wood ashes mixed with it. Dust bonedust in tho drills when sowing, fleet—A light sandy soil is tho best for beet. Sow tho 'seed in drills 18. inches apart, in ground that was manured for a previous crop. Fresh' mimuro would be, harmful to the roots. The ground .should be deeply dug, and made firm again before, ■ sowing tho scfifl. Dust bonedust in tho ' dr.lls when sowing. lettuce-Sow thinly in drills la inches apart, mid thin out ■ to nine inches in the rows. Tho ground should be deeply dug and enriched with well-decayed manure. Dust bonedust in .the drills at tho lime of sowing. TurInips—A further sowing of turnips may he made. Tho ground that has been used for nn early .crop of peas is most suitable. Before sowing the seed, fork ; over the ground, and soak it with water. ■ Allow the ground to settle before sowing the seed. Turnips need very firm ground. ! Hoeing must bo strictly attended to nn 5 soon as "tho seedlings appear, and when- ' ever it is possible water should bo given. } Turnips need well-worked, firm soil, • moisture, and quick growth.

Garden Notes next week will contain seosonablu notes about: Sweet William, routine work, and vegetables.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19170106.2.73

Bibliographic details

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2970, 6 January 1917, Page 13

Word Count
1,401

GARDEN NOTES Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2970, 6 January 1917, Page 13

GARDEN NOTES Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2970, 6 January 1917, Page 13

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