GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 84, 7 January 1928, Page 26

GARDEN NOTES

(By

“Kowhai.”)

SPIUNG-I'LOWEHING BULBS. Every few years it becomes necessary to lift bpring-fioweriug bulbs, iov when they are overcrowded they do not Hower satisfactorily. As a rule tins is done as soon as tho lolingu ripens, and they are stored in a cool dgy place uufll planting time comes round again, but where they aro still ill the ground, no time should bo lost in. lifting them, for the very early flowering ones will bo putting out new roots in a very short time. If the bulbs, when dug «P. aro seen to have already started B 10 ''." 1 ’ they should be planted back again with as little delay as possible. Those that are still dormant and dry may be given a thorough sun warming before being replanted. Thorough ripening of bulbs is necessary for successful flower production. , Thoroughly fork over tlio ground, working in a supply of decayed garden rubbish. Bonedust at the i;ate of 40Z. to tho square yard may be pricked in to the top soil. , When planting the bulbs spread some sand for them to rest on, and if pos- | sible spread some sand over them be- , fore covering them with soil. Press , the earth firmly over them. Avoid mix- | ing fresh manure with soil in . which j bulbs aro to be planted. If it is used at all it. should bo dug in well below the bulbs, or a mulch of well-rotted manure may be’spread over the surface after planting is finished. In preparing a new site for bulbs, first mark out the space to bo used, and then remove a strip of top soil from one end o'f the bulb garden, laying it aside in a barrow. Break up thoroughly tho subsoil thus revealed, and mix with it decayed garden rubbish or thoroughly rotted stable manure, and plenty’ of grit. Remove the (op soil from the next strip, ot garden and place it on tho first strip of wellworked subsoil. Proceed, to treat the second strip of subsoil in the same way as the first was treated, and then place tho fop soil from the third strip on it. The last strip of subsoil will be covered by the topsoil that is m the barrow. , Now work into the "hob ot the topsoil some sand, wood or ’-nbbisli-firn ash, and some leaf soil. Rub the leaf soil fine before adding it to the bed. A bed that lias been occupied by bulbs for several years may bo treated in the same way. , When glowing bulbs remember that they have decided likes and dislikes They dislike standing in cold stagnant wafer during winter; hence the need for deep digging. They dislike being prcxldcd with the hand-fork during weeding operations; hence the need for neat marking sticks. Bulbs like leaf-mould, sand, and potash. , , ~ Thev like, 100. to have a long time in which to make strong roots; lienee tiie need for early planting. ' Bulbs that require very early planting are paper white, polyanthus narcissi, crocuses, snowdrops, snowflakes, scillas, chionodoxa. freesins, roman hyacinths, grape hyacinths, and lilium candiduin. ROUTINE WORK. Verbenas.—-Verbena plants that have been flowering all the spring and early summer have practically flowered themselves to death, and must be cut hard back. If the soil about them is well stirred and a little superphosphate is worked in about each plant, (strong new growth is soon produced and the plants will in a very low weeks be again a mass of beautiful fragrant bloom. Where mildew has been troublesome, the plants should bo washed with limo sulphur, or well sprinkled with Howers of sulphur while they arc wet with dew. Keep all plants free of dead flowers, seed pods, and dead leaves.. Such planus as carnations, scabious, daisies, geraniums, violas, etc., arc anything but beautiful when they ai;o covered with dead Howers, and the plants rapidly deteriorate while they aro in such a condition. Attend to the staking and tying up of plants as they grow. The majority of plants look much better when in flower if they are in an upright position, than if they aro lying, broken by a mischievous wind, 011 tlio ground. Liliums, hollyhocks, scabious, dahlias, asters, pansies, tritomas, tlialictrum, and autunindiowering annuals need regular supplies of water , and liquid manure. 61 » Dahlias in particular like plenty of watei;. Hollyhocks need quantities of weak liquid manure to keep them growing vigorously and tree from disease. Annuals.—Annuals that, flowered early are already ripening their seed, and many have seed ready for gathering. If several plants of each kind are pulled up and welt shaken owr a. prepared seed patch there will bo in the autumn a host of sturdy seedlings ready io go into the borders. Some seed should be put away in labelled boxes ready ior sowing towards the end of winter. Primula Malacoidcs. —Seeds of this charming little primula may bo sown now, so that the seedlings may bo ready for planting out early .in the autumn. Well-grown plants begin to flower towards the end of winter, and keep up a constant suply of bloom for many weeks. Linaria. —If seeds nre sown now the plants will bloom through the winter if they are planted in well-drained soil, and in a position where they will get winter sun. Sow, as soon as they are ripe, seeds of delphinium, Sweet William, Oriental poppies, stocks, wallflowers, and antirrhinums. The seedlings should be ready for planting out in autumn. Leonotis. —Plants of leonotis must bo given regular supplies of water and liquid manure. VEGETABLES. Sow, where necessary, seeds of carrots, turnips, lettuces, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflowers and French beans. Keep the pods of French beaus, peas, and runner beans severely picked. Hoe between the rows of vegetables frequently and keep weeds pulled out. Water should bo withheld from melons, etc... when the fruit is ripening. Bend a leaf over cauliflowers that are developing . too quickly. Don’t allow lettuce, cabbage, and silver beet leaves, potato haulm, or bean stems to lie about. Collect them all into a heap aud burn them as soon as possible. The ash may bo spread over the garden, and worked in with the hoe. During dry weather don’t water at all unless you do it thoroughly. Hoe instead.