GARDENING NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 119, 23 May 1925, Page 17

GARDENING NOTES

TREES AND SHRUBS

CARE REQUIRED IN PLANTING

LIMING FOR VEGETABLES,

(By "Practical.")

" Halaitai " inquires how to apply lime for vegetables. Lime may be applied in any of the following ways:— (1) Scatter the lime over the surface of the ground and dig it in; (2) sprinkle the lime in the drills as the digging progresses; '3) sprinkle the lime on the surface of the ground after digging is done and allow the rains to wash it in. The first method is quite satisfactory in ground which is fairly loose and friable, but for heavy clay soil the lime would come into contact with a greater surface if applied in the second way. The third method is the best where the ground is being trenched undmanured in the lower spit, as lime must not come into direct contact with animal manure. GENERAL WOBK. _So long as dull, humid weather continues weeds will be much in evidence, and as the Dutch hoe is of little use for eradicating them when the surface soil is wet, hand weeding will have to be resorted to. This, of course, only applies to flower borders or planted plots where digging cannot bo done. On vacant ground weeds should be dug in and the surface left rough. Present conditions are ideal for any transplanting work which has to be done, the ground still being quite warm, a condition which makes it possible for the moved plants to make root and get a good hold of the soil before the cold weather sets in, while the moisture in the atmosphere and abscene of scorching sun and parching winds make it much less likely for the plants to wilt. If done carefully, and the plants are lifted with ■is little disturbance to the roots as possible, they should receive very little cheek by being transplanted^ The time for planting trees and shrubs has arrived, and all the conditions of soil and weather are ideal for this work. The subsoil has had a good wetting, and at the same time the surface soil is not so sodden as to be unworkable. This planting of trees and shrubs should not i be done when the ground is in a very sheky condition, but should such conditions prevail and seem inclined to continue, then some good friable soil should be used to surround the roots of the subjects. The planting of trees and shrubs should be done with great care. Tho first consideration must be the proper preparation of the ground, which should have been completed some time ago. Another important point is to remove any broken or lorn rools before planting. Any such roots should be cut well back beyond the damaged part, being sure that, this work is dono with a very sharp knife or seceateurs, so that he cut is cfean. The next', important tlung is to spread out the roots evenly. ' For this purpose the hole must be made sufficiently large so that the roots do not have to be doubled up to get them I in. Bo not plant, too deep. I,i no case shouKl the plants be set any deeper than they were in the nurseries. This depth can -easily- be determined by the appearance of the stem. It is a K ood plan in digging.tho hole to leave the centre s ighty higher than tire outer edges, then the roots can be arranged as evenly as possible all round, with a downward tendency. Having placed the tree or shrub in position, and before filling in llio soil, a g ool l stout stake should be driven in alongside the trunk to support, the-plant until it has got a hold of the Sroiind. By placing this slake before filling in. the hole no damage is done to tho roots,, which would probably be the ease were the stake driven in blindly alter the roots are covered. Secure the lunk firmly to the stake, having first bound a piece of sriking or other mater■a around the stem to prevent chafing, lie roots should be covered with some hue soil which can bs readily shaken in among them, and the soil made firm by treading, leaving, however, the surtace of the ground loose. One of the most important points in planting is to have the plant thoroughly firm, as if it is loose the wind will twist it round and constantly wrench at the Z"" which docs not give the plant a chance to grip the soil. Staking is therefore essential, and in the case of evergreen shrubs particularly so, as they catch the wind more than deciduous subjects with their bare stems and branched

IX THE FLOWER GARDEN. Growth has been particularly good this autumn, and hardly annuals sown early mvo made splendid headway. It must ?nH *e-ti al7! -tO,,g et S. ood "sturdy Plants, and with this object in view it is necessary to thin the plants so that they will not become crowded. Any plants which have a tendency to run up and-become spindly should have the top pinched out —stopping is the term used for this— when they will branch out and become bushy plants, sending out numerous fiends of bloom, where without this treatment only one flower spike would re

fcariy sown sweet peas, whether of the winter flowering or late varieties, require staking Good twiggy titree or similar matenal, is the best to nse, as tins gives the tendrils something to dins to. As slugs and snails are liable to be prevalent during the damp weather lime soot, or powdered alum should be sprinkled round the pants every now and then.

_ BJarly narcissi are coming into bloom "i the more favoured positions. Stir between the clumps or along the rows with fork or hoe to keep down weeds and aerate the soil. The planting o f uulhs should not be delayed any longer as it is important that the bulbs make good roots before sending up their fob"-' :l£o.

As dahlias become frosted or the tops turn brown they should be cut down lo within a few indies of the ground U here they, are still yrcen and healthy Uip.v should not be allowed to be broken down. N See that the stakes are secure ••iml the ties in order.

Some of the earlier chrysanthemums are over, and as soon as the yomi" sucker growtli appears th e old stems should bfi cut down to within 3 or 4 inches of t-lic ground and the young growth ennonraged by loosenins the soil around he stools. These young growths supply the plants for next year's flowerin<* As the plants are cut down, stakes slmuld be removed and stored away in a dry place for future use. If left' in the ground they look very unsiglitlv, besides bein<* apt to rot. " °

This'is the best season to plant paeoiues. These plants require rich deeplydug so]!, as they are subjects which resent disturbance, .and should therefore remain where planted for .several seasons. They-should be planted with the crowns not more than 2 or 3 inches below the surface. In districts where heavy frosts are experienced the crowns m:iy hi covered with o mulch of some kind as prolecli'on. Mark the position of the roots with good labels to prevent damage when forking ,n- di-ging. AMONG Till.-; \ KUXT.\i;;i,i;S. (."•JIT. «f .Sri-m-ing f|.,, |v , i... 11,,, |JJiIJU worjs is luis aepailuejtt just wm. Cw-

rots, turnips, spinach, etc., should be thinned and weeds rigidly suppressed. Cabbage, cauliflower, and silver beet may be planted as required. In most gardens there will be plenty, of vacant, plots fropi which potato or other crops have been removed.. Any vacant ground not required for immediate use may be sown with some green crop, such as mustard, lupin, or oats for digging in in the spring. Give the land a light dressing of superphosphate before sowing. Remove and burn any old tomato plants which still remain. The fruic will not ripen ou'.side now, but if taken in and stored in boxes of hay or straw in a • dark, dry, place they will soon colour up. Strawberry plots should be attended to in the matter of weeding and the removal of runners. In this district the* planting of new beds is better delayed until spring, although in the Marnier parts it may be done in the autumn. Young plants for new beds should be secured now and planted in nursery beds, spacing them from 4 to 6 inches apart, and the rows sufficiently wide apart to allow of the hoe being run between them. The ground for the new bed should be prepared in the meanlime. Although these plants are sur-face-rooted, good results cannot be obtained unless the land ; s deeply dug and the drainage perfect. The ground should be liberally treated with manure —stable manure for preference—which should be well dug in, and during the winter and until planting time in' the spring the soil should bo cultivated on every available occasion. PUBLICATION .RECEIVED. "The New Book of Gardening," published by George Ne'wnes, Ltd./ London. Part 1 of this publication received from Messrs. Gordon and Gotch. This publication is being issued in 26 fortnightly parts, and judging by Part 1 should prove a valuable addition to the gardener's_ library. The information contained is of a varied nature, covering all branches of ' horticulture. Being written in simple language, it is understandable by the veriest novice, and it should accordingly prove of great value. The illustrations are clear and very informative, while the whole is written in a free and readable style. Information \\ given in an eminently practical manner without unnecessary technical details, which are of no interest to the ordinary gardener. The introduction sums the work "up in the following words: "In few. words, this work is intended to be of a thoroughly practical nature throughout, arranged in such a way that it will make ready reference at all times an easy matter; a work that will prove indispensable to every gardener who would do things for himself, or at least know how they should be done."