GARDENING NOTES

Northern Advocate, 15 August 1931, Page 7

GARDENING NOTES

[By “TAINUI.”]

OPERATIONS TOR AUGUST.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN,

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

Carnations,

The present is a good time for planting out carnations. The pcrpet: ugd flowering is the mopt popular, as they bloom for about nine - months in the year. Generally, after two seasons, the plants are worn out, and it is then best to get new ones. The plants are easily raised from slips in spring or autumn. Border carnations flower .only in early summer. The flowers are very perfect, compact, and of beautiful colourings; but they are more subject to blight than the perpetualsi 1 ''i ■ (

The geedling.carnations sold, at this season are' excellent for bedding purposes. The . plants bloom profusely during summer and autumn. Plants from seed are generally more sturdy than plants from slips. Growers have been working on the carnation during the last few years to try to get a fair percentage of doubles from seed. The result is that we can get some excellent strains that give a fair percentage of quite good flowers, and massed in a bed all look well. The better carnations grown for cut blooms should be given an open situation. They need plenty of fresh air, deep moderately rich soil, and good drainage.

Lime is necessary for healthy carnation plants, and the blooms will never be good unless the plants are healthy. A handful of bonedust and superphosphate forked in about the plants just now will bring them along. Carnation plants should never be forced by overmanuring. They are naturally slow growing, and will not be hurried.

Pplyanthna.

Rhododendrons.

Grove© or clumps of rhododendrons well grown are always a sight to attract admiration, and where they arej featured, nothing is lost in effect. They are among the few plants that dislike lime, which does not mean that they must be grown in peaty soil. A naturally loamy soil, and a position partly shaded by buildings or tall trees will suit them very well. They will tolerate full sunshine, but prefer here partial shade, or riltered light.

The soil for. rhododendrons should be deeply trenched, two feet at least, and large stones removed. Well decayed manure, leaf mould, coarse sand, and light loamy soil should be mixed in during the preparation of the bed. Peat, of course, if available, wo.uld suit admirably. The soil should be prepared some weeks before planting time. The spacing must depend on the particular species. Some are quicker growers, and some are naturally larger, and would require more room than others. Prom four to six feet apart should be about the limits cf spacing.

General Notes.

Rhododendrons want a good sendoff, They must not be allowed to suffer from drought after being planted out After a fortnight without rain, the plants .should be thoroughly watered and the surface soil stirred to prevent surface evaporation. During dry spells too, the bushes might be syringed or sprayed in the evening. A mulch of partly decayed manure is also good, but the manure should not reach right up to the base of the plants.

The treatment for rhododendrons is generally suitable also for azaleas. These are most attractive plants show ing a fine range in colour. When purchased, the plants are quite small, and as they are of slower growth, they can be put closer together than rhododendrons. From two and a half to three feet apart is about right, according to size. They alo,. like partial

Sow tomato seed under glass for later planting. Transplant autumn sowm onions. Manure rhubarb beds. Put in new plants. Plant potatoes as required. Sot aside sets to sprout and green for planting later. Sow carrots, radish, lettuce, cabbage, parsnips, red beet; indeed, all except the tender vegetables may be sown any time now. Pumpkins, marrows, etc., may be sown under glass. It is too early to sow these in the open without protection. Plant Jerusalem artichokes. Sow dwarf peas in good, well-drained soil. Prepare new asparagus beds, if not already done. Also plant asparagus. Plant out cabbage and cauliflower. Sow a few leek seed. Prepare good trenches for tall beans to be sown later. The deeper the trenches are the better, provided the drainage is right. Keep the B§U stirred between growing crops.

Polyanthus and primrose seed may be sown now for flowering /this time next year. Seed often takes a month or two to germinate, and the seed bed or boxes should be kept cool and moist all summer. Polyanthus are just coming into flower. For longer stalks and larger blooms give weak liquid cow manure. No time should be lost in pruning and planting roses. Plant shrubs and trees of all kinds; also climbing plants. Tender plants will need a little protection from frost and cold winds. Plant gerberas, delphiniums, carnations, Michaelmas daisy, bouvardias, and all kinds of mixed border plants. Continue to plant gladioli in clumps in the border, or m boxes for picking. Sow seed of the following in boxes; Phlox Drummondii, salpiglossis, Sweet Sultan, delphinium, gerbera, verbena. The following annuals may be planted out now, after being well hardened off. Antirrhinum, stock, cineraria, nemesxa, pansy, viola, carnation, lobelia, schizanthus, coreopsis. Many bard annuals may be sown outside. They should be sown in patches and covered with hot-caps: . Cornflower, clarkia, godetia, shirley poppy, candytuft. Chrysanthemum cuttings may be taken now, and planted in boxes to root. These would be planted out in October.

Planting Rhododendrons.

shade, and make a good associate for rhodendrons.

An authority op these plants says ‘‘that the most unlikely garden can be made suitable for azaleas by taking the top spit of pasture land, chopping it up, and mixing it with one third decayed manure and any rotten leaves available, this mixture being used to form the upper part of the bed when natural soil is unsuitable. In the autumn, when sweeping up leaves, cover the bed six inches thick or more with these, and every second year give a top-dressing of manure in the winter.’ ; ’ ■■■•

Azaleas are suitable associates of rhododendrons and azaleas, especially, for filling in gaps until the bushes have grown, are liliums, andromedas, dwarf cistuses, daphne, heaths, kalmias, as well as many of the perennial plants such as delphiniums and meconopsis Baileyii. ‘

and azaleas are usually sent from the nursery with their roots balled in sacking. They are well planted as they are. It is not even necessary to remove the covering, as this soon rots in the soil, and the -roots can push through. No attempt should be made to loosen the roots, as these are tine and thickly matted. In working round established bushes, it must be borne in mind that these plants are surface rooting, so that a spade would cause much damage. Even forking close to the plants should be avoided. Hand pull the weeds, and brf on the safe side.

The polyanthus is among the best 33 a long-flowering spring plant. Considerable improvement has been brought about lately in this large 1 family, resulting in improvement in colour, form, and substance, constitution and solidity. They like partial ©hade and rich, well prepared soil. If given a full sunny position and a dry or even tolerably dry soil, the leaves will disappear in the heat of summer. Their best soil is a greeny-yellow loam ■well supplied with manure, but any well cultivated and well manured soil will give good pdants.

Kitchen refuse mixed in with, the soil at the bottom of a good trench makes a good bottom for pea plants.

Peas like lime perhaps better than most plants. Potash and super worked in with the soil will also suit them.

Marrows, pumpkins, etc., may be sown in the open, but a glass slide should be placed over them until the weather conditions become more suitable, An early start means a lot to these plants, which should be helped along while the going is good, that is, during late spring and early summer when warm rains come.

Watch out for spring weeds. The worst offenders will soon be making their appearance, and if not dealt with, will cause endless trouble later.

Asparagus beds that were not manured in the autumn after cutting the tops down may be manured now. Rotted animal manure is best, and these plants will Stand a lot of manuring.