GARDEN NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 211, 6 September 1943, Page 6

GARDEN NOTES

By "Ngaio.” Any perennial plants which were not divided in the autumn should be attended to now if the clumps have become too large and thick; lever out of the ground with two forks placed back to back so that the roots are not chopped about as would bo the case if a spade were used. If replanting in the same position, dig in some manure, compost or rotted grass clippings. Choose pieces of fresh young growth from the outside of the old clump and plant several in a group with six inches or so between each; this will lead to a much better effect at blooming time than a single piece, and you will be able to use several light stakes which will be almost invisible instead of a heavy one which is rather prominent. Perennial phlox, michaelmas daisies and heleniums should all be treated in this way to get the best results. Dahlias are one of the few plants which can be grown in the same spot year after year without going back; they should be lifted and replanted with some manure and fresh soil and a little lime added later, but otherwise they do not need any special soil treatment. They can be taken up any time now and heeled in to shoot in any warm sunny spot away from any danger of frost. Dig over the beds very thoroughly and give them plenty of material which will supply the dahlias with food, and retain moisture over their long flowering period. The smaller types such as the charms and poms do not need such heavy feeding as the giant decorative varieties, also they can be left in without dividing for a season if you are pushed for time and labour. Chrysanthemums, on the other hand, are much better when planted in fresh ground each season —they are not then sc liable to disease. Lift your old plants and divide -up enough pieces for lining out in a nursery bed to develop into good plants for putting out at the end ol October. Choose short growths rather than tall lanky ones and see that there is no flowering bud on them; it does nol matter if there are no roots at all or your cuttings—they will strike easily anc quickly if planted firmly in a trench well lined with sand; avoid pieces with a 10l of old roots attached, your aim should be to encourage new growth. Another point about chrysanthemums is that they like firm ground, so aftei their plot has been prepared for then; see that the soil is well settled and firmed before planting. Do not give manure ir the early stages—it is bettor to leave feeding until much later on, but a light dressing of lime is much appreciated bj the plants. Check over your stock of chrysanthemums and see if you have all the types you want; pom-pom, sprays, singles anc anemone-centred should be included as they are so wonderfully decorative ir both the house and garden. The koreans also deserve mention, some bloom earl] and others late and the colours are verj dainty. Look over your gladiolus corns anc plant some every fortnight for a succ-es' sion of bloom, bearing in mind that the] flower approximately 90 days from planting, so your best display can be plannee for a time when you are sure to be a home and not absent on summer holi days. Ground for gladilous can bi manured well below where the corm wil rest, or some fertiliser can be usedthree parts of superphosphate to one o sulphate of potash is a good mixture am can be applied at the rate of two ounce per square yard. The corms should b planted to a depth of three inches in ligh soils and two inches in heavy groundnever let them suffer for lack of water.