GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 109, 1 February 1930, Page 30

GARDEN NOTES

(By

“Kowhai.”)

PERENNIAL PHLOXES. Ono needs to see the plants’in flower in a nursery before ordering new varieties, for sonic of the colours arc hard to place, es. pecialU- in a mixed border, and there aro many lovely ones among them. In some the colours are soft and dainty; in others they are vivid. Baron van Dejeni, which is brilliant orange scarlet, and Flambeau (orange flame) aro among the latter. Bismarck, with soft pink flowers, Elizabeth Campbell, with rosy salmon ones, aud Gideon, with soft pink flowers shaded roue, are among the dainty pink opep. Some of the lavenders, too, are very charming, but they should be chosen from plants in bloom, for some that are called lavender and lilac are often dull purplish In colour. The pink shades, too, may have just sufficient magenta in them to make them that unfortunate shade known as flannelette pink. Phloxes like the cool richness of heavy soil thaj: has been well worked up. Deep - digging and a generous supply of decayed garden- rubbish are essential to them. Once planted, they may be left undisturbed for piany years, and so it pays one to give them a good start. Even when putting in a small plant a wide deep hole . should be made, and into the bottom of it cinders and coarse rubbish may be put for drainage. If the soil is very heavy it should- be well mixed with decayed garden rubbish, and grit. (such as coarse sand or road scrapings), and, if possible, decayed cow manure, before being put back into the hole. This should then be trodden firm before the plant is put in. Durin# the growing season weak liquid manure should bo given, and thorough waterings. If, when the plants are cut back in the autumn, they can be covered with a mulch of cow manure, fine heads of bloom will be certain for the following season. ZINNIAS. Zinnias, of the Bodger’s dahlia-flowered strain, are bearing enormous flowers that look almost out of proportion to the size of the plants. But the plants, when properly looked after, go on growing for a long time after they begin flowering, and If their first big bloom Is cut off as soon as it fades, they soon become big a ? ( ., Kusliy, and able to bear a big crop or line blooms. They must be helped in this, however, tor it is'strenuous work for a plant to be bearing blooms while It is still completing its growth, and unless It receives this help the blooms become small. . Sucrphosphate, at the rate of loz. to a square yard, may be pricked in round the plants as soon as the first bud shows. Afterwards,, all through the flowering time, liquid manure, preferably that made with Cow or sheep manure and soot, should bo given once a week after a good watering. Each plant may have a cupful poured into the soil round Its roots. To make the liquid manure, cow or sheep manure is put into the cask, an ordinary bucketful being sufficient to last for a very long time. The cask is then filled with water/' Some soot, tied up in a suga'r bag plum-puddlngwlse, is suspended frbm a stick placed across the top of the cask. Tito manure water is ready as soon’ as the manure in the bottom has become soft enough to be dissolved. A good stirring helps it. When using it, put some 1n n can, and add water until it is the .colour of weak tea. It should be poured into the soil round the roots, not sprinkled over the foliage. DIPLACUS. Diplacus plants that have been flowering since early spring are looking woody and untidy. They should be cut hard back to within a foot of the ground. .Some bonedust may bo worked into the soil about them, and then, if they are given a good'watering, and . a dose of liquid manure, they will quickly make new flowering shoots. VEGETABLES. So much wet weather is causing onions to run more to top. growth than to swelling their bulbs. Bending the tops over at the neck, as soon as the plants aro fully grown helps the swelling of the ■ bulbs. Marrow and pumpkin vines, too, are inclined to make '.rank growth, and should have their tips pinched out. This causes them to throw out laterals which usually bear fruit freely. Small sowings may be made Of cartots, lettuces, radishes, endlpe, peas, French beans, and round beet. Should the soil be very dry, pour water into the drills before sowing. Winter greens, such as savoys, Brussels sprouts, silver beet, etc., may be planted out. The seedlings should be well puddled ‘ in, and kept shaded from the sun until they become established. Afterwards they must be kept well watered, /for it they are allowed to become thoroughly dry at the roots they’are apt to bolt. While potatoes are being lifted, some may be put aside for seed tubers. These should be chosen from strong plants that have produced a good and even supply of well-shaped potatoes. They should be spread out in the Sun to allow- the tender skin to harden,, and afterwards should be kept on a cool shelf well exposed to ' light until they are thoroughly “greened.” It is not advisable to keep on planting potatoes of your own sowing Indefinitely, two seasons being enough. Every third year new seed tubers should be procured from another locality.