GARDEN NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 57, 1 December 1923, Page 24

GARDEN NOTES.

By

“KOWHAI.”

PAEONIES. Once paeonies are established they are a great comfort to the busy gardener. for they come up year after year and require very little special attention. Jiroju tlie first sign ol the bronzy foliage in spring until the foliage fades and dies in autumn the plants are beautiful. The foliage alone is so attractive that, even apart from the flowers, paeonies are worth growing. Early in spring the bronze leaves and stems are exquisite among narcissi and all the dainty spring flowers. Then during November and early December the lovely flowers add to the charm of the plants, and after they have faded end been removed the foliage of the plants continues to be delightful among perennial poppies, sweet williams, irises, delphiniums, lupins, carnations, and all the summer inhabitants of the border. With the approach of autumn the foliage of the paeony plants assumes deh-ghtful tints of russet and crimson that seem so m keeping with the many lovely autumn flowers. Then for a short period the plants die down, and are covered with a cosy winter blanket of thoroughly decayed manure.

Paeonies take a little time to reestablish. themselves after removal, for they have brittle, fleshy roots. The best time to move the plants is in the autumn before the foliage dies down, for then any wounds to the roots have a chance to heal, while the roots are still sufficiently active. If the plants are moved while they are dormant there is always the fear of root-rot getting in if the roots are damaged during removal. Now that the flowers are at their best, intending growers should make their choice of new varieties for their gardens. AUTUMN FLOAVERING ANNUALS. Narcissi and other spring-flowering bulbs have reached a stage when they may be lifted and sorted out. The bulbs may be cleaned and put away for planting in February, or they may be replanted at once in well trenched soil.* Where the bulbs are not to be liftetl this year, the decaying foliage may be removed. Once the bulbs are put in order seeds of autumn-flower-ing annuals may be sown, and seedlings planted round the clumps of bulbs. Mignonette, phlox drummondii, and nemesia may be sown right on top of the bulbs, for the plants are easily rooted out in the autumn when the bulbs begin to push up. Before sowing seed, prick in a little bonedust, and thoroughly water- Die soil. After sowing, protect the seeds from sun by means of little pieces of manuka brush. Afterwards thin out the seedlings till they are four inches apart each way. Cosmos. —Cosmos is generally sown in firm, fine soil, and the seedlings are transplanted afterwards to other parts of the garden. The bushes grow to such a size that only one should be left in the seed bed. The seedlings may bo transplanted when they are just showing their true leaf. As soon as they are a few inches high, pinch the tops off to make them bushy. Asters. —Asters should be grown in ground that was thoroughly trenched and manured early in the year. "Without asters in tho garden it is difficult to have a good display of flowers during, the end of February and . the beginning of March. Work a little bonedust into the soil when the seedlings are being planted out. As soon as hot weather sets in, thoroughly soak the ground witli water, and then apply a light mulch of well-de-cavcd manure.

Marigolds.—Marigolds revel in a sunny position. Knowing this, many people put them in tho sunniest and driest part of the garden, but they overlook the fact that marigolds also like well-prepared soil, and then wonder whv the plants are stunted. The soil should be deeply dug. and should have a good supply of thoroughly decayed weeds, etc., worked into it. A little bonedust should be added just before sowing. As soon as the seedlings are big enough they should be thinned out.

Zinnias. —For dry, sunny gardens, zinnias are exceedingly useful provided the soil for them has been well prepared. To grow the plants successfully. the soil should be dug to a good depth, and a good quantity of wellrotted manure should, be worked in. Special attention should be paid to the subsoil, as zinnias will not thrive unless good drainage is provided. Zinnias like plenty of sunshine, but they also like good, rich, decayed manure or vegetable rubbish to root into. Sweet Sultan.—Sweet Sultan makes a great display all through the autumn. The plants should be grown in large groups to get the best effect. Thev like deeply worked soil, to which well-decaved manure and sand have been added. Before sowing

’ the seed, prick in a little bonedust .and thoroughly water tho soil. Shade the seed bed till the seedlings are up. Salvia.—Salvia, is one of the most gorgeous of tho autumn plants, and it shows to advantage best when grown in large groups or in whole beds, lhe brilliant scarlet flowers are produced so freely that the bushes become supply a blaze of colour. Seedlings should be bought and planted out as soon as possible. VEGETABLES. TOMATOES. Push on with the planting out of tomatoes. Don’t plant on ground that is too rich, for food can be supplied to the plants from the surface when it is needed. Too rich a bed at the start often produces rapid and luxuriant growth instead of sturdy plants that will bear plenty of fruit. Ground thae was manured in the autumn for winter or early spring greens is very suitable for tomatoes. Dig it over thoroughly, and then make it firm again. Before putting out the plants hoc oyer tho surface, working in a dressing of superphosphate. A strong stake should be provided as soon as tho plants are put in the ground. Two mis are quite enough to allow the plants. Rub out all laterals and new growths from the roots. Seeds that may be sown this week are: —Marrows, pumpkins, sweet corn, French, butter, and runner beans, onions, carrots, beet, }>eagj leituces, radishes, and tomatoes.

Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about mulching, routine work, and vegetables.