Garden & Field

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6670, 25 July 1928, Page 3

Garden & Field

Seasonable Routine Work. So far gardeners have been blessed with exceptionally good weather conditions, and if full advantage has been taken, the spring work will be well in hand. i■ ;'V Sow hardy 1 annuals,in boxes or pans placed in a warm position. TO be effective from a spring sowing, hardy annuals must have the longest possible period of growth. Sowing, therefore, must be done as early as possible. By sowing early the very hardy varieties, such as godetia, clarkia, nemesia, etc., the boxes will then be empty for sowings of zinnia, aster, salvia, and others, which likewise require a great deal of warmth before they will make any headway. Three things arc essential in the cultivation of hardy annuals —moderately good-soil, early sowing, and thin planting, to give each individual plant space to develop its full beauty. Plant a few gladioli conns, if early sjnkes are wanted. The orthodox time for pruning roses has arrived, and ' the work can be carried out as opportunity-arises.

There is, however, one type of rose which should never be really pruned and that is'the briar. Pitiful it is indeed to see the graceful shoots ; of the briars shorn of their extreme ends which would, if left alone, make such a lovely picture drooping beneath a weight of bloom. Thin all such rosps of the crowded wood, but avoid shortening the main growths. Mo?s roses would bo all the better for this rational treatment. Never mind how they fall about.. To deprive them of their, drooping habit is to rob them of one of their greatest charms.

Hasten with the planting of all deciduous trees now that swelling buds are reminding us that active growth among the roots has commenced. - Get all ground in readiness for shelter belts, hedges, etc. ■ Early August is the most favourable time of all for the planting of macrocapa and other shelter trees, also evergreen hedges. Sweet peas must bo attended to and the growths kept oil the ground. Dust with lime,, soot, or ashes, to assist in keeping slugs off the plants. Hardy Fernery. . A great many plants in this part of the garden are showing signs of growth and as warmer days may bo expected, it should be quite safe to cut away the old dead fronds and give a general clean up. Afterwards the surface soil, where it has become hard and set, may bo lightly pointed over, and a suitable top-dressing may be given. Leaf mould is ideal. Any alterations or iug may also bo carried out. Some charming effects may be had by planting a few fox-gloves neat the background, and lilies, such as lilium regal, or the ever popular lilium candicum (Christmas lily). Groups of small hyacinths (the candican variety) are pretty, and when, grown in shade their stems arc twice as long. By leaving spaces here and there among the ferns, such things as daffodils, muscari, seillas, and certain types of anemones may be grown making the fernery -an attractive spot ear]y in the season. The Kitchen Garden. Every opportunity should, now be. seized in order that early crops may be got out to time. .More potatoes can be : ' planted, with further sowings of broad) beans and peasi The transplanting of autumn sown onions ought to be completed as speedily as possible. Look over the breadth of cabbage and lettuce plots and make good any blanks. Where the soil is drying a little nitrate of soda hoed in among these is beneficial, and such things as spinach, sprouting broccoli,, asparagus and kale will reap much benefit from an application. Speculative sowings of an early turnip can be made on a warm plot, the purple form of early Milan is useful for this purpose. Sow parsley in a sheltered situation. Strawberry Beds. It is sound practice' at this time to look round the strawberry beds and to make good any casualties in the case of autumn planted beds. The soil, too, will be all the better for a good stirring if care is taken not to disturb the the roots. As in the case of cabbages, a light administration of nitrate of soda will do much to encourage growth. • i Beetroot. A light, well-drained loam is best for this crop, and to improve heavy soil a good dressing of wnod ash is good. During the early days of August a few rows may be sown on a warm border, choosing a globe variety as they mature quickly. Beyond wood ashes no further manure should be given, as it encourages them to make coarSc growth and unsightly roots. The ground should, however, be deeply dug. Winter Gardens. Lack of shelter deprives the gardener of many lovely, winter-blooming plants. Sheltering walls, hedges and plantations are a necessity if early blooms are prized. Even in the case of small town gardens, a wall, to keep out cold, bleak winds, and nothing to hinder the sunshine from having full sway, will hasten the blooming time of spring flowers. At the foot of walls and shelter belts early bulbs will bloom freely, as will also the pretty, early blue iris family. Lantanas, japonicas, and the highly perfumed cherry pic flower freely in shelter. The guavas are lovely little shrubs for sheltered spots. Their fruits commence to ripen during the winter months. Iceland poppies, marigolds, nemesia, and linaria will provide quite a display if'planted

(Specially written for ‘‘Times” "by Lorna.)

in warm nooks and corners, with forget-me-nots, primroses, and wallflowers to follow a little later, and the perfume of early violets and daphne will not be lacking. Money spent on choice shrubs and plants is wasted unless the necessary shelter is provided, and while planting time is with ,us this important point should not be overlooked. Lemons and Oranges. It is wonderful what success may be had in growing lemons and oranges where shelter is provided and good drainage given, One of the most remarkable fruits introduced into New Zealand of recent years is the “wonder lemon.” This lemon is an ornament to any garden with its even shaped habit of growth, lovely white flowers, and enormous fruits, which are borne in profusion and often need to bo thinned on account of their weight. The'fruit is splendid for marmalade or peel, thus combining the ornamental with the useful. A good rich soil is required, and a warm, sunny, well drained position. Top-dress the trees each year with manure or decayed vegetation.’ ’ 1 ,

THe new lemon "meycr” also' promises'to be-something 'worth growing, as it is hardier than any variety yet introduced; The tree commences to fruit .when only ■■..-sis inches in height and crops heavily, .. and; for this reason, should he manured heavily each; sca--som; ' The wealth- of blooms in the spring commends it as a shrub. This specie hails, from'North China, and its fruits are perfectly shaped; -. The poor-man orange is another splendid ornamental as .well as useful shrub. Its attractively rounded fruits withtheir golden colouring always arrest attention. - ' , .. • ; • The growing of citrus fruits should be encouraged if only for the purpose of providing aids to health.- The juice may be used, in so many-yariqus ways and 1 in the kitchen, lemon peel is indispensable. When a warm, sheltered spot is available, a lemon or orange tree will prove.a wise choice. Annuals and Biennials for Shade. The problem of beautifing the shady border is not a' difficult one as failure in growing plants in such places is usually, duo to sourness of the soil. To remedy this- apply lime/.freely, and where the soil is heavy, lighten with road grit,* wood ashes, leaf mould, or sand, whichever may be at-hand. A moderate dressing of cow manure will improve a light soil. In such spots primulas grow to perfection, and mimulas or monkey plants;, also primroses, cineraria, and foxgloves. Among hardy annuals, godefia, clarkias, candytuft, and alyssum will brighten the border.

There is, perhaps, no pursuit br occupation which requires so_ much forethought or foresight as does gardening in all its branches, most of all as regards floral display. Thc/be'autiful arrangements and pictures which appear in their seasons are the result of months of careful preparation and planning throughout the drab days of late autumn and winter, and it ‘ behoves everyone who particularly admires and longs to possess some fttriking beauty of plant or flower to find out something of its nature and habit before launching out in anything of an extensive nature. A suitable soil compost is the first esesntial to success. Nepata (Catmint). Eoots of catmint arc now shooting freely and at the present time clumps of this useful perennial are a. mass of fresh young shoots. Those may be taken off in sections if an increase in stock is desired. Catmint forms one of the easiest to grow and the prettiest of edgings to borders, especially those which contain grey-foliaged plants. It makes a particularly pleasing edging to groups of the. later flowering blue irises, where its dainty sprays of mauve tinted flowers blend admirably with the iris blooms. Catmint flowers for the greater part of the year, which is: a decided asset in any bordering plant. Sparc plants are useful for filling in pockets in the rock garden where other plants have failed. ‘ , As a cut flower, used in conjunction with, larger flowers such as irises of anemones, the effect is always beautiful, the light, dainty sprays lending a soft, finishing touch which is most pleasing. • ■ • Catmint is beloved of cats, which are often seen curled up on this dainty cushion of dainty grey foliage. The soft grey of the foliage with its fernlike appearance, is something to admire the season through. Daphne Blagayana, . This fragrant little Alpine shrub claims attention on account of its suitability as a shrub for the rock garden. In its season it unfolds dense clusters of ivory white flowers, the spicy fragrance 1 of whicn as Quite Cqual to, if not stronger, than that of daphne iuuica, the common daphne of our gardens. Each flower cluster is encircled by a collar-like row of deep green leaves, which set off its beauty admirably. Delphiniums. * Those are amongst the first to make a good show in the herbaceous department of a garden, and as they continue for a very long time in a gay condition and arc also invaluable for cutting, they must be classed among the best of things for the garden. The seed always germinates well and if well grown will flower the first season. After that the plants grow away at a great pace. Seedlings always vary, some being of the very best typo, if good seed has been sown, while others will need discarding. The beet varieties. can always bo increased by division

of the roots. Old plants are already throwing up new shoots, and.no time should be lost in taking offsets or of transplanting any that arc intended to be moved.