THE FLOWER GARDEN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 236, 18 September 1936, Page 13

THE FLOWER GARDEN

September js <jne of Hie cluef sowing periods of the year and to ensure bright and attractive summer and autmun displays work must be commenced at once. The weather has certainly been against much planting, but if we waste time much longer there will be no display. Sow the following seeds in boxes:— Asters, zinnias, lobelia, stocks, poppy cosmos and marigolds. The tollowing hardier varieties may be sown now in the ground in warm sheltered spots: Phlox, violas, clarkia, mignonette, balsam and antirrhinum.

Early sowings of tobacco may now be made in boxee or seed pans. Tobacco growing ia becoming quite a hobby with many of our local amateurs. Prick the young seedlings out into trays and plant out when large enough to handle. They are easily grown from seed. Care should be taken to harden off all seedlings that have been grown in sheltered positions. Many hundreds of plants are lost yearly by planting out soft, weak plants when 10 days in the open weather would work wonders. Tobacco dust and lime will have to be constantly used to keep the slugs away. Dahlia fcuibs that have been stored for some time should be examined and spread out on the surface of the soil to shoot. Chrysanthemum stools •re throwing np fresh shoots that may be picked off and boxed for transplanting later. Spring sowings of lawn grass can now take place. Three pounds of seed i g sufficient to sow* 100 square yards (10 yards, x 10 yards). Established lawns can lie top-dressed with manure, 3 oz. to the square yard. Rake over the grass and sow fresh seed where grass is inclined to be patchy. For the backs of long borders the seeds of the following tall plants should be sown:— Giant sunflower, tree mangold, larkspur, zinnia, and

coEtnas. For borders sow alyssum, Virginian stock, shirley poppy, pyretuium, dwarf nasturtium and bellis perennials.