GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 October 1924, Page 6

GARDENING NOTES.

FLOWER GARDE'S. (By “Waratah.”) Candytuft.—This dwarf hardy annual is very suitable for edgings or for j. grouping in masses at the front of the r border. It is of the easiest possible j culture, but is not often seen at its j best . because it is usually hot given sufficient space to develop. The plants c should be finally thinned to a foot c apart, when they will branch freely and 1 bear large pyramidal spikes of flowers. The flowering period is a long one, and if sown now the flowers will be.’pro- c duced until late autumn. Another 1 sowing in the autumn will produce ' flowers in early spring. ] Nasturtiums.—The climbing nastur- ; tium is a'very useful annual for cover- 1 ing up unsightly fences, old tree stumps, or rubbish heaps. For this purpose there is no quicker or more 1 rampant climbing plant. Seeds sown now will soon grow away and make effective plants. The soil need no£ be rich, for in comparatively poor soil the plants flower better. .The “Tom Thumb” or dwarf nasturtiums are also useful in hot, dry positions or where the soil is poor. From seed sown now plants will soon flower and give a gay display until frost cuts them down. Phlox Drummondi.—This is one of the most useful of the half-hardy annuals; it gives a great, profusion of flowers throughout the summer until late in autumn. The colours of the flowers are very brilliant and varied. Seedlings that have been raised in boxes and hardened off may now be planted out, or seeds' may be sown now to produce a later display. The plants should be grown in a sunny position and the soil not very rich, or the plants will grow very rank and not produce so many flowers as on poorer soil. Slugs are particularly fond of young seedlings of this plant, so preckutions must be taken to prevent their depredations. Aquilegias (Columbines). —The new long-spurred aquilegias are a great improvement on the old-fashioned, short- | spurred ones (often known as “granny bonnets”). The flowers are much larger and the colours very beautiful. Aquilegias are hardy perennials, and give the best results when well established. Seedlings may be obtained now, and should be planted in good soil 18 inches apart in groups of six or twelve plants. A position 'that is shaded during the hottest portion of the day suits them best, and they must be supplied with plenty of. water during dry periods, -as they are moistureloving plants. Portulaca.—The flowers of this beautiful half-hardy annual are of the most brilliant colouring, and the plants make a very neat edging, as thep only 6 grow a few inches high. Seeds may be sown now. They should be sown thinly where the plants are to flower, and as the seeds are very small not covered, but just pressed lightly into the soil the hand or a piece of board. The plants thrive in warm, dry situations, and look very ; effective on rockeries. Sow' hardy annuals for succession, and. half-hardy annuals in warm, sunny positions. Remove suckers and superfluous shoots from rose hushes, and examine the .plants frequently and carefully for aphis and caterpillar. . Plant-gladioli corms six inches deep m good soil in a sunny position. Sow' sweet peas for late summer flowering. Prepare ground for chrysanthemums, as this is the best time for planting out rooted cuttings. Old plants should have the number of shoots reduced to three, choosing the strongest ones 'furthest removed from the centre of the plant. Stake carnations and any other plants needing support. VEGETABLE GARDEN. . Celery—Trenches for celery should be piepared now. Make them a foot wide if for single rows, and 18 inches lor double rows of plants, and nine inches deep In digging the trench caie should he taken to keep the sidqs straight and nearly perpendicular Lay the excavated soil on each side of thertrencn in equal quantity, and beat it firm with the back of the spade to prevent loose soil falling back into the rench. A liberal quantity of welldecayed manure or garden refuse should then be well mixed with the soil at the bottom of the trench. If more than one trench is made they should be four feet apart. The excavated soil on either side of the tiench can he used to .grow quick maturing crops, such as lettuce, dwarf beans, or spinach. When planting allow a space of nine inches between the plants. Throughout the growing season abundant supplies of water are necessary, and a good soaking of liquid manure occasionally. The secret of growing crisp celery is to grow it on without a check; if the plants suffer from drought at any- time they may bolt to seed, or the stems will be hollow and pithy. Celeriac, or turnip-rooted celery, has the same flavour as celery, and is delicious boiled or added to soup as a flavouring. It requires no trenches, .but must have good, rich soil and ■plenty of moisture. Seeds may be now in drills half an inch deep, lhm out the seedlings to nine inches apart. Sow broad beans for succession, and pinch out the tops of those that have attained a height of two feet. This will cause the beans to mature earlier. Sow French and butter beans. Sow carrots, beetroot, turnips, and spinach for succession. Sow Autumn Giant cauliflower and early broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts and savoy cabbage for use in winter. Earth un ootatoes as they advance m growth. ■ Thin out seedling vegetables as soon las they can be handled. This is a | most important' item in cultivation, and one that is very often neglected. Sow cucumbers, vegetable marrows, pumpkins, squashes and melons as advised in previous notes; young plants should receive protection at night from cold, winds and possible frosts. Sow lettuce, radishes, mustard and cress at fortnightly intervals. Onions may still be sown for winter use. Although they will not be so large as those sown earlier, _ they will be plenty large enough for ordinary kitchen purposes, and the medium-sized bulbs keep better during the winter. The soil must be made very firm to produce good bulbs; if the ground- is loose the onions -will grow fast enough, but will have bull-necke. Sow leeks for planting out in Decemand January. . Keep tomato plants tied up to the stakes as they advance in growth, and pinch out all side-shoots as soon as they can he handled. Sow peas for succession everv three weeks. Sow sweet corn two inches deep in drills four feet apart; thin out to nine inches. Parsley should be sown half an inch deep and thinned out to six inches. Sow parsnips in soil free from fresh animal manure. (Plant cabbage and cauliflower plants, early varieties of cabbage 18 inches apart; drumhead variety and cauliflower two feet apart, a Runner beans may still be sown.