Garden and Field

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3542, 25 February 1927, Page 10

Garden and Field

Routine Work in the Garden. t The recent showers have been ■ more than welcome in the “Garden” and there is much to be done, and gardeners should take every advantage of the loosened soil. opportunity missed is seldom regained. Trenches for sweet-peas should be prepared as quickly as possible, for early blooms. These are best ‘ sown at the latter end of February or at,the latest early in March, when preparing the trench. Bear in mind that the sweet pea is very partial to ; well rotted manure, and nothing of a fresh nature should be put into the prepared soil. Beds for narcissi should also be immiately got on with, as these should also be planted as early as possible. All seedlings of such as wallflowers, iceland poppies, pansies, stocks etc., which are large enough to handle should be transplanted to tbeir permanent quarters while the soil is in ,a more favourable condition. Order seeds of any hardy annuals that may be required for early spring blooming, as autumn sown annuals are always superior to those which are sown in spring. Sow such things as memesia, godetia, clarkia, tinarla, annual' poppies, and larkspurs. These can all be sown next month. Also many of the hardy perennials could with advantage be sown at the pressent time. Prune most of the old growths oft rambler roses, also those rose bushes which have finished blooming may be cut back about half way. this, will help to encourage a second crop of flowers before the frost comes. Layer carnations and strike cuttings of carnations and pinks, also geranuiums, and pelargoniums. All ground required for bulbous subjects should bo got in. order as they will all benefit from early planting. Where it is desired to lift anemones this work should be got on with speedily, as the recent showers will quickly start them into growth. Too many of these cannot be grown, their matchless variety of colouring, ease of culture, , their wonderfully free flowering habits, together with the lasting quality of the blooms entitle them to a place in every garden ; and. they cannot be too highly recommended. Given good drainage, shade 1 from the sun for part of the day, and . as rich a soil as circumstances will allow, the,, reward will be ‘ good blooms, with a good length of stem. They are to be procured in endless 1 colourings, many of them keautifully striped and blotched. The ranunculus require much the same treatment and their bright colourings, combined with a wealth of bloom render them most attractive subjects. Tritonia’s 1 For those requiring a border of ’ bulbous subjects, should plant the ' beautiful little tritonias. are : to be had in a lovely flame shade, . and in varying shades of salmon, , they resemble freezias in shape, : bloom freely, , and multiply rapidly. The Vegetable Garden.

After the strenuous work of spring and the tiring hot summer months, many owners of small plots are given to resting frorir their labours. But this state of things should not exist as there is much necessary work to be taken in hand during the early autumn months. The aim of every gairdener should be, to provide a supply of vegetables all the yearround, and in our climate, this is not such a ..formidable* task. Many small plots are empty at the present time, which could be utilized for many purposes. Silver beet forms one of our most valuable winter vegetables, and may be sown now, also the . valued spinach. Also a plot of autumn sown onions, such as allsa craig. giant rocca. or the white and red tripoli, endive and lettuce for salads. . Sowings of turnips, shorthorn carrots, parsley, and the early round or turnip rooted parsnips, which are not generally known, but are very suitable for shallow soils, and autumn sowing. All plots -which are not needed until the spring months would benefit largely If sown with oats, lupin, or anything of a green nature _ for digging in through the winter months. A final sowing of french beans, and dwarf peas could be made where space is available. The Blue Flax (Linum Pei-enne) To those who have a liking for blue flowers, the writer would suggest a sowing of linum perenne. It is a plant that may be easily raised from seed during the autumn. There are some things wlych must be massed, in order to be seen to perfection and the blue flax is one of them. The flowers are like a little bit of heavenly blue and when seen in full bloom edging a long border, the sight is irresistibly attractive. The plant is not at all particular as to soil, but, like most blue flowers, it likes lime in some form 'or another. Borders deficient of

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this substance should be dressed with lime if the best results are looked for. Those who prefer to buy plants may be able to obtain them from a nurseryman, although they are not too well known. In transplanting the delicate feathery green foliage may wilt a little at first, but with watering soon holds itself erect again. Care should be taken that the tap root is allowed to go downwards in a straight line when transplanting. ‘ The plants seed prolifically and will self sow unless the heavy weight of seed pods is cut away. If the row of plants is sheared down to within about six inches of the ground when it has nearly completed flowering it will throw another ■ crop in some six weeks time, new growths containing the flowers pushing up ! from below the cutst Although this display is not quite equal to the summer one. it is very nearly so, and well worth having. Taking this dual crop naturally exhausts the plants and will cause them to deteriorate unless fed with a good top dressing of manure when the second crop of seed-pods is cut down. This will carry them safely through the winter months. Properly looked after, the plants increase year by year until they require a foot square of space. For a permanent edging the plants should be put out at a distance of from nine inches to one foot. It is also advisable to put the plants about a foot away from the edge of the path, as they have a tendency to hang over when becoming heavy with seed. A good effect is obtained by planting aubrietia in front of them, which flowers at the same time and acts as a foil to the intense sky blue of the linum.

Apple Trees for Pictorial Effect

Frequently one hears the complaint that it is impossible in gardens to combine beauty and utility, and in consequence there is a great waste of good space. This la shown very largely in many modern' gardens where fruit trees are relegated to the orchard or the kitchen garden. Happily this defect is not present in many of our best gardens, in a number of which there are borders of hardy flowers screening vegetables from the path, and having behind them some of our best apple and other fruit trees. In some good gardens there are at intervals apples trained over iron or wood pergolas, with snowdrops, daffodils, and other flowers beneath. So the trees be-s hind the hardy plant borders when in bloom give most delightful additions to the beouties of the hardy flowers in front. There Is, indeed, nothing more beautiful than a fruit tree'in full bloom, as it harmonises with the early flowers of the border. In some of the old gardens the aid of the fruit tree in the garden scheme of decoration was perhaps better understood than now. Their makers had not the wealth of spring flowers which are now at command, and, possibly as much for their beauty, as for their utility, . they planted' apple trees largely in the borders. In many old gardens these, trees must have been a ; great feature in by gone years; and they still reveal in some degree the charms, of the combination of apple blossom allied to the narcissi, anemones; primrose, and other' flowers ,of ,the season. In addition to the charm of the blooms on the fruit .trees, there is, moreover, the benefit of the fruit. In its various stages the fruit ,is always interesting, and when the aP.Ples . begin to ripen there is a subtle . harmony between these and sunflowers, michaelmas, daisies and dahlias and other autumn flowers. It takes nothing from the attractions of the flower garden to have within its bounds fruit trees whose beauty does not only consist in the blossoms of spring, but also in the ruddy or golden fruits of the autumn time. If we can admit the Japanese cherries or the crab apple trees into the flower garden or the shrubbery surely we can find room for our good apples and other fruits.