GARDENING NOTES

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1938, Page 9

GARDENING NOTES

THE GREENHOUSE AND NURSERY. Chrysanthemums should soon be about their best, and notes should be made of the varieties which it is intended to propagate for next season, for all are not equally valuable, and there is always a tendency for the older varieties to show signs of deteritoration. Though rather soon to take the main lot of cuttings, any which appear can be put in now if specimen plants carrying a number of flowers are desired.

Seedlings of schizanthus and other annuals should be pricked out into boxes or small pots (three seedlings in each (as soon as they are large enough to handle, and primulas of varipus kinds required for spring flowering should be potted up into their flowering pots. Keep in a cool, moist house and water very carefully at first. Continue to put in cuttings of violas and pansies and ripened wood of trees and shrubs. Seeds of hardy perennials and alpine plants can be sown as soon as they can be obtained, the pots being placed in a warm greenhouse or frame. Freesias and other bulbs which were potted up some time ago and have now started to grow should be brought into the greenhouse and stood on the bench in a light, sunny position. As the tuberous begonias ripen off, the tubers can be taken out of the pots, packed in shadow boxes of light,! dry soil, and stored away in a frostproof place, or the pots can he laid on] their sides and the tubers left in them until the spring. THE FLOWER GARDEN. Continue to transplant polyanthus, primroses, sweet williams, wallflow-| ers, and Canterbury bells into their flowering positions. The weather recently has been very, favourable for] this operation, the frequent, showers] helping to keep the plants fresh until! they can form new roots. z | Dahlias and gladioli can be lifted and spread out in a frame or shed to dry a bit before being stored away, for the winter. Co.ntinue to cut over ( the herbaceous perennials, such as michaelmas daisies and phlox and ( clear out the hardy and half-hardy, annuals. I

Ornamental trees and shrubs and roses can now be transplanted, the soH] being in excellenl working condition. Hardy trees and shrubs can be' pruned where this is necessary, and the borders dug. I Weather conditions arc sti]] favourable for the overhauling of the rpekgarden, and varieties which have| spread beyond their pockets can be lifted and divided, and new species! and varieties can be planted. j A start can be macle with the pruning of rambler and climbing roses.

THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GARDEN.

It is getting late, but broad beans

and dwarf peas can still be sown, and cabbage planted out for spring use. Prune fruit trees and bushes and make new plantations where necessary.

Trench or deeply dig over all vacant land, leaving the surface rough and open, and clear out all spent crops. Give celery its final earthing up, and collect and store marrows and pumpkins.