THE ROCK GARDEN

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 24

THE ROCK GARDEN

Spring Overhaul

There are several small jobs which should be done in the rock garden now to make everything trim and attractive for summer.

First give attention to the soil in the pockets in general. Prick up the soil everywhere thoroughly, but not too deeply, so that the full benefits of sun, rain and air may get to the roots. If it should happen to be a dry month much harm may be done if the soil surface is left in a hard caked condition.

While doing this make a point of a good weeding. Many weeds which are troublesome to eradicate later are -got rid of easily while still young. It is little use merely forking them loose as you go round and leaving them half buried in the soil. The first shower will start many into growth again. Pull them clean out, and if odd ones are fast in the middle of a plant, loosen, or even lift the plant so as to get them right out, carefully refirming the roots again. At this time the plant will suffer no harm, apd the weeds are got rid of filially. If you have not sown pinches of hardy annual seeds earlier, now is a good time to do it. Choose dwarf kinds, break up the top Sin. of soil very finely, sow thinly, cover with not more than a quarter of an inch of fine soil, pat firm with the hand, and they will soon come up. There will probably be colonies of self-sown seedlings of free-seeding plants such as Alyssum, Mossy Saxifrages and Dianthuses. These will probably have come up much too thickly. Now is the time to thin out. Carefully pull out sufficient to leave Oin. each way between the remainder. Larger kinds may be thinned again in a week or two. Refirm the remaining seedlings, and use some of the thinnings to plant up any vacant spaces. Plant promptly, and if dry give a good watering with a can with a fine rose.

This is onfa of the best times for dealing with dwarf evergreens and conifers, which may be cut back where necessary, with complete safety. Avoid cutting either hard unless absolutely necessary, and do not merely snip off the ends of shoot}, but cut a whole branch out where possible, in such a way that no gap is made and the cut Is not visible.

When putting in new evergreens, another timely job, it is most important for the holes to be sufficiently large to take the roots without any twisting or crowding. Quite fine soil should be placed next the roots. Firm gradually and most securely as you fill in the soil, and if dry give a very good soaking to the roots, together with a spraying overhead every evening until rain comes.