GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 23 October 1925, Page 6

GARDENING NOTES.

(By Waratah). HALF-HARDY ANNUALS. Half-hardy and. tender annuals are flowering plants which, if sown in early spring, require the aid of artifice, heat to enable the seeds _Do germinate, and also require protection from frost until they are sufficiently strong to bear transplanting into the open border. They nray also be sown in the open ground late in spring or early in summer, when the weather is sufticinet.y warm to be suitable to their constitution. The best plan is to sow the seeds in boxes or in a nursery bed m a sheltered position and transplant the- young plants as soon as. they are huge enough. Careful and judicious watering is very necessary in the cultivation of flowers, and it is' most important to keep the soil always moist, especially before the seed's have germinated, as if the soil becomes very dry when the seeds are about to germinate they are certain to perish. Always use a watering can fitted with a fine “rose” so as to prevent beating down or washing away the young plants. Some good half-hardv annuals to sow now are:— Asters.—These make a great display, and look best massed in beds pr in large groups in the borders. Giant Comet, Crego, and Ostrich Plume arethe best double varieties to grow. The single aster (sinensis) is well worth growing to provide cut blooms. Asters require rich, well-manured soil, and to be kept well watered and mulched in dry weather. Balsams. —These make a bright display. Thev require a rich, moist soil. The camellia-flowered variety is the best to grow. . Celosin.—Stately border plants, with feather-like blooms in shades of red and yellow. They require good soil and a sunny situation. Cinerarias. —These do well in a partlyshaded position. They must be well sheltered from wind. They require rich soil and plenty of moisture in dry weather, as they ‘ are surface-rooting plants. Di morph otheca.—This is a showy plant, with brilliant orange-gold flowers. It is a profuse bloomer, grows about 15in. high, and has a neat branching habit. The plants require a sunny situation, and are not particular as to, soil.

Koeiiia tricophylla,—This is an ornamental foliage plant. It attains a height of two to three feet, is of neat pyrrimidal shape, •resembling a cypress tree in • miniature. The foliage in summer is a vivid green, and changes in autumn to a rich russet crimson.

Marigolds.—These are -old favourites, too well known to need much description. The African type grows to a height of two feet, and produces flowers in lemon and orange shades. The tali. French marigolds grow to a height of two feet, and have flowers with mixed brown and yellow colours in stripes. The French dwarf grow to a height of 12 in lies. There are both single and double varieties of these. There is also a variety known as the “Giant French Tree” marigold, which grows to a height of from six to eight feet, and produce large quantities of flowers of a rich brown shade, suitable for cutting, as from two to three weeks in water, and do, not possess the odour of the ordinary marigold, which as objectionable to many people. Lobelia. —This is wpii known as a border plant used for edging. The variety known as Crystal Palace Compacta is the best. The flowers are dark blue, and the habit of the plant compact. It should not he planted in rich soil, or it will grow “rank” and not be so floriferous. Petunias.—These are useful for bedding or a display in the borders. There are double and single varieties, and also “fringed” varieties. Phlox Drummondi.—These are also useful for bedding purposes.. The flowers are of various rich and beautiful colours.

Portulaca. Dwarf - growing plants, with flowers of many brilliant colours. They wid grow in any poor dry soil in a sunny position.

Saipiglossis—This plant produces very beautiful flowers, useful for cutting, and also makes a bright display in the borders. Tt needs a sunny position and good soil. The “Emperor” strain is the best kind to grow. Salvias. —These plants make, a brilliant display in late summer and autumn. The popular variety is “Bonfire,” which has gl'owing scarlet flowers. There is a’so a blue variety (Patens), with flowers of' a sky-blue colour. Schizanthus. This is sometimes known as the poor man’s orchid. The Wistoniensis liybris are the best kinds to grow. The plants are of compact habit, and the flowers have a. wide range of colours. The plants grow fc a height of 2ft. Tropaeolums.—These plants (commonly known as nasturtiums) wi)J grow well in any soil in a sunny position. There are dwarf and tall kinds. They make a brilliant disp'av of colour, and nnsighty objects in the garden may bo covered with them at small cost by s’owing seeds. The plants will flower until cut down by frost. SWEET CORN. This is a vegetable which should be grown more than it is. It is easily grown and is a valuable addition to the summer vegetables. The soil should not be too rich, or large foliage is produced at the expense of the cobs of corn. The seeds should be planted three inehe.s deep, in rows three feet apart, and the seedlings thinned to twelve inches apart. Suecessional sowings arc necessary to keep up a regular supply, and it is the best plan to sow every two weeks until the first week in December. The cobs of corn are ready for the. tah’e as soon as the tassel .at the top of each is withered. flood sorts to grow are Early F’ordhook Country Gentleman, and Golden Bantam. ROUTINE WORK. Bow broad beans, French beans, runner beans, )>eet, borecole (Scotch kale), Brussells sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cress, cucumber, celery, kohl-rabi, leek, lettuce, mustard, onion, parsley, parnsnip, peas, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb. Savoy cabbage, sweet corn, squash, swede, turnips. (Protect pumpkins, squashes and cucumbers frbm wind and frost.) Plant main crop potatoes. Plant cauliflower, cabbage and lettuce plants. Tomato plants may be planted now in sunny, well-sheltered positions, but must be protected on cold nights. T>o not plant in rich soil, or the plants mill grow rank and not be fruitful ; soft rank foliage is also more liable to contract disease. Place the plants 18in. apart and put a stake to them at the time of planting. The stakes should be driven well into the soil, and he about five feet high from the surface soil. A' good ’ dressing of lime round the plants will be of to them, and help to keep away slugs, which are partial to young plants. Plant seedlings of flowering r.lants. and sow seeds of hardy and half-hardy annua'-s in the open garden.