Gardeners Never Grow Old

Northern Advocate, 20 August 1938, Page 14

Gardeners Never Grow Old

In The Garden

TO those who have never attempted any gardening I would say; “Make a start with your garden, for,gardeners never grew old.” Plant

something now, put Jn cuttings or plants, or sow seeds, and watch them grow. We may get bored and used to most things, but we never weary of or get used to the marvel of growth. The spring awakening never loses its charm, and we never cease to enjoy the results of our labours in the garden. Gardeners never grow old. They are too busy, looking forward, always planting and planning for the future. But gardening is not a fool-proof occupation; It would lose much of its charm if it were. Planting for the following season is, or may be, so well thought out that we believe there can be no failures. But our well-laid plans do not always work out, and changes must be made, new plants purchased, failures removed and so on.

When the spring flowers are coming out, the gardener thinks of the plans for summer. Just now the daffodil grower is enjoying the blooms as they open, and perhaps looking forward to seeing his favourites . on the show bench; and already he is planning for next season. The weariness of planting the bulbs during the hot weather last February, and the back-breaking business of hoeing between the rows is forgotten. Perhaps we appreciate the results more when we think of the difficulties overcome. Gardening is a healthy pastime. It takes us into the fresh air and sunshine; we forget the years as we look forward to our favourite flowering next season. The buzz of the bee, the gay notes of the birds, the laughter of the children all belong to the garden; and they all help to brighten the garden for the worker. Weeding-Time. From mid-spring to mid-summer is our worst weed season. Even now crops of tiny seedlings are shouldering each other to reach the light of day,

and that is when they should bo plucked out —before they have reached the seeding stage, or are in such vigorous

rowth that they appropriate food insnded for our cultivated plants, and efore they begin to rob our plants E moisture and sunlight. While they

arc- still too frail to offer any resistance, hoc them out lightly or you will bring another crop to the surface. There is little, indeed, to be said in favour of weeds; but this much can be said, that anything that brings the hoe into commission—and the usa of the hoe means life to the soil-—cannot be altogether bad, Do You Grow . . . Achimenes in your hanging baskets? The best known is a light violet-blue shade. There are smaller-flowered varieties in mauve and red shades. Plant the tubers in the spring in light,

moderately rich soil. Achimenes are summer flowering. Dwarf' Ageratum? This is a most useful edging plant; also good for fill-

ing patches in the rock garden. The flowers are a richer lavender blue than the shrubbery variety, and, if not allowed to set seed, have a long flowering season. Old plants may be divided after frosts are over, or seed may be sown in early spring. Sunshine or partial shade and a moderately good soil suit.

Anagallis, belter known as the large Scarlet Pimpernel? This is a charming dwarf annual, most useful for the rock garden or for small beds. The flowers are scarlet, and there is also a lovely royal blue variety. Seed may be sown in early spring. Plenty ..of sunshine and a moderately good soil are required for best results. Armeria, better known as Thrift or Sea Pink? This is another plant that is useful for the rock garden or edging. The best known variety has mauve-pink flowers. Tin's colour is not at its best with scarlet and orange flowers, but is most effective edging a border of lavender, fuchsia and other old favourites. Plants may be divided now or seed may be sown. Cacalia, or amelia? This is a rather unusual annual, bearing flowers like a very small Scotch thistle. The plant is a little like a dandelion, with a long stalk, and numerous red or yellpw flowers. Cacalia is quite good for picking, being useful for mixing with other flowers of similar colouring. Seed may be sown in the mixed border or rock garden this month or next. Capsicum, better known as Red Pepper? Although this is a salad plant, many varieties are ornamental, and are to be seen in Whangarei gardens. Seed may be sown m, boxes during spring. Plant out in moderately rich soil fn a warm position. Crassula (Kalasanthes)? This bright scarlet bouvardia-like flower, with the fleshy leaf, is often seen on rock gardens or in narrow borders flowering during the summer months. It looks at its best planted among the rocks near the sea coast. Do not overmanure. Plants may be grown, from cuttings taken now or in the autumn. Crinum? This is summer flowering. It bears heads of flowers a little like an amaryllis. The flowers are white and pale pink. The bulbs are large, and have long, strong roots. It i? a useful plant for odd corners of the garden, or • for planting near trees,

where it may be left to form big clumps. The bulbs should be partly cut of the ground. Crinums may be divided now if -necessary.