GARDEN NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 35, 4 November 1922, Page 18

GARDEN NOTES.

By

“KOWHAI.”

HARDY ANNUALS. Double Pink Godetia. —This is one> of the most charming of our annuals. The large double flowers are a delignttiu shade of pink, and are well spaced. l on upright stems. If the plants are pinched hack in the seedling stage they grow into quite largo bushes, and make a great show when in bloom. Where there is room they should be grown in groups, the plants' being six or eight inches apart each. way. Any wtell-dug noil is suitable for the plants, especially if it contains a supply pf decayed vegetation and some bonedust. Lavender Gem Godetia. —The l a W?> pure lavender, . single flowers are well spaced up long slender stems, and as tho plants, when pinched in the seedling stage, branch freely from tho main .stem, they haye a particularly light and dainty effect. Seeds may bo sown now, and the plants should, receive the same treatment as double pink godetias. Clarkias. —Clarkias have the same habit of grpwth as double pink godetias, ana require the same treatment. The plants will grow well in almost any position, and should be massed in bold groups to get the best effect. The flowers are produced on long, slender stems, ana may be had in shades of salmon, soft pink, rose, and white. . Atriplex Hortensig Rubra. — is splendid for growing at the back of a border. The plants, vJlich grow to a height of five feet, are wonderfully effective, for the leaves, stems, and seeds are rich red in colour, i When the p.ant reaches maturity it is like a huge winecoloured dock. The branches are 6 Pl®, a " '’did'for bringing into the house to nil bowls and large vases. The plants like a sunny position and well-dug soil, heeds should be sown now. Stocks. —Stocks shou'ld be grown in well-dug, rich ground. If possible, plctfity of well-decayed manure shfmld bo buried about six inches below the surface, and bonedust should be sprinkled into the holes with the plants. The soil should be kept well cultivated, and the growth of fibrous roots encouraged. _ Seeds of ton-weeks and' Nico stock'* - may be sown now. ■ Salpiglossis— Seeds of salpiglossis may be sown in the open now. The flowers of this beautiful annual are so rich in colouring and so quaintly marked, that it is worth while growing the plants well. To get the best effeqt they should be planted in grouns of four <sr six plants. The soil sliould be well dug, light, and rich. In fact, a sandy , soil which has had a good quantity of wellrotted vegetable rubbish or cow manure worked into it grows the plants to perfection. Water is necessary during the flowering season, but where this is scarce, giro one thorough soaking and then spread a mulch of well-rotted manure. AUTUMN-FLOWERING ANNUALS. Now that the .leaves of narcissi and hyacinths are ripening off they may be tied loosely to short stakes, and seed of autumn flowering annuals may be sown around the clumps. Before sowing the seeds, prick in a littlb bonedust-, and thoroughly water the soil. After sowing, protect the seeds from sii,n by -means of little pieces of manuka brush. Where the seedlings are too crowded (they should be- at least four, inches apart each way) they may be tKinned out, and tho spare ones transplanted to other parte of the garden where there is room for them. Cosmos.—Cosmos is generally sown in fine, firm soil, and tho seedlings are transplanted afterwards to oth,er parts of tho garden. The bushes grow to such a size that only one can with safety be left in the seed bcd(. When the seedlings -are ready | for transplanting. mix up some good soil, leaf soil, well-rotted manure and sand, and if a little of the mixture be placed in each hole, thia seedlings should grow into fine bushy plants. The seedlings may be transplanted when they are just showing their true loaf.. ■ As .soon as they are a few inches high, pinch the tops off to make them bushy. Asters. —Asters should ba grown in ground that was thoroughly trenched and manured early in 'the year. Without asters .in ‘ the gardeii it is difficult. to have a good display of flowers during the end of February and the beginning of March. The first week in November is early enough for sowing the seed. Work a little bonedust into the soil when the soedjings are being, planted out. As soon as hot weather sets in, thoroughly teak the ground with water, and then apply a light mulch of well-decayed manure.

Marigolds.—Marigolds revel in a sunny pcsit’on. Knowing this, many people puti them in the sunniest and driest part of the garden, but they overlook the fact that marigolds also like wellprepared soiil, and then wonder why the plants are so stunted. The soil should be deeply dug, and should have a good _ supply of yell-de-cayed vegetable rubbish worked into it.

A little bonedust should be added just before sowing. As soon as the seedlings are big enough they should bo thinned out and during their whole period of growth the hoe should bo kept at -work among tho plants. Zinnias. —Zinnias are most useful for providing a fine display of flow’ers at a time when the summer flowers are over, and the autumn ones scarcely out. For dry. sunny gardens they are exceedingly useful provided tho soil is well prepared beforehand To grow zinnias successfully the soil should I'tfl dug to a good depth, and a good quantity of .wellrotted manure should bo worked in. Special attention should be paid, to tho subsoil, as zinnias will not thrive unless good drainage is provided. Zinnias like plenty of sunshine, but they also Hike rjoodf, ricji, (decayed, manure or vegetable rubbish to root into. Seeds mav be sown in the open ground now, and the seedlings transplanted as soon as thev are big enough to handle. Sweet Sultan.—Sweet Sultan makes a great display all through the autumn. The plants should bo grown into groups to get the best effect. They appreciate deeply worked eoil, to which well-decay-ed manure and sand have been added, Before sowing the seed, prick in a dusting of bonedust, and) water the soil. thoroughly. Shade tho seed bed till the seedlings ore' up. Salvia.—Salvia is one of the most gor. "eons of the autumn plants. It shows to advantage best when grown in. large <*roup9, or in wliolo bods. Th© bnllixint scarlet flowers .am produced eo freely that the bushes become simply a blaze of colour z Gardtenera with small gardens would bo wise to buy their seedlings from a nurseryman, ns the seeds ar© hard to germinate without heat, VEGETABLES. Cabbages, cauliflowers, etc , must be kept growing vigorously, and should be syringed frequently with, clean water to keep away aphis, caterpillars, eta. The hoe should be in constant? use at present to keep down weeds, and to keep the soil, loosened and the vegetables thus surrounded witha fine soil mulch. Green peas are filling out their pods, and. will I*o6l th© benefit of a. watering now and then, and the constant nse of the hoe. • • • Earth up potatoes as they grow, choosing a warm 'day for the operation. French and runner beans may bo sown. Dust a little bonedust in the drills, and allow six inches between the plants. Silver beet quickly nm s to seed unless the leaves are kept well ph eked. After picking the leaves givo the plants a good watering with nitrate of soils (loz. in 1 .gallon of Water). Attend to the thinning out of carrots, onions, parsnips, and be<it. . Seeds that mav be sown this week are: 'Marrows, numpkinsjl sweet corn, French, butter, and runner beans, onioqs, carrots, beet, peas, lettuces, radishes, parejiins, and tomatoes. I— — — Garden Notes next week yiH. contain seasonable notes about:—Aquilrgias. routine work, and vegetables. '■