GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 28 November 1924, Page 2

GARDENING NOTES.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. (By “Wnratah.”) Wallflowers.—At no time are flowers more appreciated than in. the Spring and wallflowers," when well cultivated are very suitable for planting in.beds and borders to provide a. profusion of fragrant blossoms at that time; Although the plants are perennials, the best results are obtained' by treating them as biennials. If seeds are sown now, good strong plants will be obtained for transplanting in Autumn; when the summer-flowering bedding plants are dug out. Sow the seeds in drills nine inches apart and thin the seedlings out, as soon as large enough to handle, to six inches apart. About the end of December the plants should be root-pruned by driving a sharp spade through the tap roots at an acute angle. This treatment should be repeated again at the end of February. If the weather is dry at the time rootprune. one-side only and wait for a week before the operation is performed on the other side, but in wet weather the whole operation can be performed at once. This cutting of the roots arrests the growth, of the main stein and cause® a strong development of the side branches with the result that the plants are dwarf and bushy -with, fibrous roots arid will not suffer any check when 'they are traiisplianted. Wallflower® may be obtained in many rarities of separate colours comprising several shades of red and alsO purple and yellow. They .are often grown in beds of separate colours ,but look very well mixed as the colours blend well to-gether. Current work : —Remove faded flowers from Azalea® and Rhododendrunis to prevent the formation of seed-pods, which are a serious strain on the vitality of the plaints. Poilyanthi and primroses may be lifted and divided as soon as they have finished flowering. Break the plants up carefully so that each piece has plenty; of roots attached. These subjects prefer a rich soil and. a position shaded from the sun during the hottest portion of the day and require plenty of water in dry weather. Plant out dahlia roots and rooted cuttings of dahlias. . Chrysanthemums may still he planted. Sow hardy and half-hardy annuals for succession. Sweet peas may still be sown for late flowering. , Sow such biennials as Canterbury bells, sweet Williamsi wallflowers, etc., in drills 9 in apart in a prepared seed bed. Shade the bed from the sun during the hottest; portion of the day. Plant gladioli bulbs for a succession 1 of bloom in rich soil and a sunny position. Plant 6ili deep. . Plant out tuberous begonias/ Rose® 'should be examined carefully and regularly for greenfly and mildew, both of Which are very prevalent this season. Stake and tie up all tall plants as they advance in_ growth arid keep climbing plants tied of nailed up to their supports. Hoe the beds and borders frequently to keep down the weeds and retard evaporation. Remove all faded flowers from plants. This will prolong the flowering period. If seeds are' allowed to form the plant will devote most of its energy to sbed production, and the flowering period will be curtailed. , VEGETABLE GARDEN, Sugar vegetable is very much esteemed on the Continent, and is grown in preference to the' ordinary culinary peas. The plants, which bear heavy crops of pods, are grown and cultivated in exactly the same way as the ordinary garden’ peas, but the pods when gathered are cooked whole, or cut into slices in the same manner as kidney beans. The flavour is very delicate and there is, the advantage that the labour of shelling the peas is avoided. No garden should be without a row or two of this delicious vegetable. Sow the long-rooted variety of beetroot for use ill winter, the turnips rooted variety should be sown at intervals for succession and used while young and tender. Sow broad; beans for succession. Pinch out the tops of those in flower as soon as they are two feet in height. This will accelerate the production of the beans. Sow peas for succession. Sow in trenches three inches deep to facilitate watering when necessary. Pinch out the growing points of pea® when covered in bloom to hasten the production of pods, into which the strength of the plant will be thrown as soon as the upward growth is checked. When sowing spinach or lettuces choose a partly shaded position, as these plants feel the heat of the sun to their disadvantage. Sow broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and Savoy cabbage for use in winter; sow the seeds thinly, and thin out the seedlings to two inches apart as soon as they can be handled. Sow Succession or St. John’s Day cabbage for late summer and autumn use. These two varieties resist blight and droughty conditions better than other varieties. Sow sweet corn. Sow cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and squashes. 1 Sow leeks for succession. Salsify may now be sown. Sow radishes in rich, firm soil and keep well watered. Sow broadcast and thin out to two inches apart/ Sow turnips for succession. Garden swede should now be sown; Plant out celery in prepared trenches nine inches deep, one foot wide for single rows, 18 inches wide for double rows. Riant nine inches apart,' and shade till established. Keep the plants well watered in dry weather. Runner 'beans may still he sown.