GARDENING NOTES

Grey River Argus, 12 August 1925, Page 3

GARDENING NOTES

SEEING OPERATIONS. The Flower Garden. Complete the. pruning cf all roses, also the manuring and digging union:; the plants in the beds and birder-' leaving the surface rough. Ltucr, lightly fork the surface to bring tl soil into a good state of pulverisation Regulate the growth of climbing plants, tying them up where necessary. Bougainvilleas that are against the sides of houses and walls should have i lie projei ti ng lateral branches cut we.! back. Ficus stipulate, the climbin' lig, should also tie cut closely back to the walls. Carnations arid picotees should be taken up out < f the beds m which they were planted in tile autumn. and re planted into their permanent places in tiie flower beds and borders. Alix a little lime with the soil Anemi’.ics ranunculi, freesias and other hardy spring flowering bMLs. must be carefully weeded, and the sur I u-e soil around them slightly stirred. Daffodils that are in flower and coming into flower, must be protected from slugs, which, unchecked, soon destroy the blooms. Dimorphotheeas also suf fer from slugs. Carefully weed borders composed ot vi'-kts, daisies, polyanthus, primrose <• eclieverins, etc. Thin out seedii'.igs of V irginian stock to allow the individual plant sufficient room to branch out. Attend to" the planting of stocks wallflowers, neniesias, mimulas, pansieviolas, Canterbury bells, columbines and a few other hardy seedlings. Sow seeds of asters, cinerarias, ten week and beauty stocks, lobelias, gail l.irdias, larkspurs, antirrhinumsi hizanthus, phlox drummond'i, etc., : n seed trays, under glass for spring plantiugs. Lawns require to be mown weekly, and rolled when sufficiently dry. Overrolling at this soasew is injurious, it i rushes out some of the finer grasses. The Vegetable Garden. To obtain the best results in the cul tivation of vegetables, particularly the early sown crops, the soil must be kept frequently stirred and free from weeds A well 'corked, loose surface not onl allows the air to penetrate the soil, but adds several degrees of warmth to the roots. During the present month almost every variety cf seasoviable crops should bo sown and planted. To grow any variety of vegetables "ell and quickly the soil must be rich in organic and mineral plant food. For all kinds of garden produce. < l-cmical manures are very useful, bi:. mi occasional dressing of good stable manure is almost a necessity. Earth up peas, beans, cabbage, caul! flower, and other colvvorts. Before drawing the earth to the plants apply a mall sprinkling of nitrate of soda to the soil. transplant cabbage, cauliflower, let tiu-e and rhubarb in well-prepared ground. For the summer variety arrange the rows 3ft apart, mid the plant; lift apart in the rows. For the winter variety arrange t’-- rows font 2ft to -ft Gin apart, and the plants loin to J Sin in the rows. T an-plant autumn sown onions, and make further sowing for using in the given state. 1 -.,’iKg crops that are just above the ;:i und will need careful watching, or they soon fall a prey to the ravage? of selugs and birds. Black cotton is by ler the best preventive from birds, but only frequent sprinkling with lime, soot or light sprinkling of superphosphate will protect the plants from these pests. w itl; young seedling crops thiunin’ 'mt and weedivig between the plants :-build e done as soon as they rre large enough to handle, but if thir ' periition cannot be done without tread iug ep-ii the s-:il, it is better deferred until th esoil is reasonably dry.