THE GARDEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 26 May 1944, Page 7

THE GARDEN

Seasonal Notes for Amateurs WORK ON THE SOIL Vacant ground should be dug over as soon as possible and green manure 1 crops should be turned in as soon as hey arc sufficiently developed. Lime should be distributed freely’ by surface sowing but should not be mixed in the soil with fresh farmyard or any other manure with which it would set up neutralising action. In these circumstances it is better to wait a few weeks before the lime is sown In the home garden, where maximum production is sought by intensive cul- | tivation of a small space, it is important j that the soil be well worked so that the I humus and manure which the gardener puts into the ground is evenly distributed from the top down. Trenching in green manure and farmyard manure is inclined to form rich pockets of soil amongst an impoverished plot. Similarly. it is folly to dig in soluble fertilisers which will be taken further into the soil with the first rain. It is of prime importance to have on the surface ample good | soil upon which the small seedlings can thrive. In many plants, both in the flower and vegetable garden, a check to growth in the early stages of plant life caused by deficient soil near the surface, is never quite overcome. even if the plant has adequate sustenance later from deeper roots. The present time is a good one for soil preparation and every opportunity should be taken to get the soil in as good a condition as possible. CROPS NEEDING ATTENTION Early’ season peas may need small -.ticks to protect and support them. Fhubarb may be lifted and new crowns , f:om the outside replanted. Old rhubarb sc*s should be given a topdressing of well decayed manure. The tops of asparagus and of artichokes should be cut off and burnt. The latter, like parsnips, are better left in the soil for digging when required. Brussels sprouts are developing. They will respond well to weak applications of liquid manure and should be picked from the bottom up. Keep seedling onions well weeded, and the soil loose around them. Plant out cauliflower and cabbage for spring use. Leeks and celery should be well earthed up and late potatoes dug and stored.

VEGETABLE SEEDS IN GOOD SUPPLY The prospect for vegetable seeds is reported to be good and people in the coming spring should have no difficulty in looking after their supply of vegetables on that score. It is reported that in Auckland a leading firm already holds thousands of orders for seed potatoes. “But so far as we can know now,” stated a representative, “there will be seed potatoes for every- | body without panicking.” j In spite of the increase that has j taken place in the home-growing of ! vegetables, there have been large sales ! of lawn grass seed this season. Hedge j and shelter trees also have been in heavy demand and quotations have been withdrawn for a number of lines, particularly in the heavier shelter types. Ornamental shrubs are more readily available. ATTRACTIVE SHRUBS FOR AUTUMN AND WINTER The Brugmansia’s represent a very ornamental class of shrub and can bo grown as a bush or standard specimen. The long trumpet-shaped flowers are seen to better advantage when grown on a standard plant. They enjoy a warm position and are liable to be cut back with frosts in cold districts. The variety lutea is a good sulphur yellow—the double white variety Knightii is very sweetly scented and a very handsome shrub. It is seen at its best in the evening light. They all respond to severe pruning which is best carried out in late spring. Brugmansia sanguineum is to be seen at Wigzell Gardens and lutea at the city nursery. Nandina domestica is a great favourite with those who appreciate good foliage for decorative work. Its foliage varies somewhat when raised from seed but cuttings taken from good colouring types are worthy of a place in any garden. It attains a height of about 4ft and is a native of China and Japan. It may be seen at Wigzell Gardens. Eriostemon neriifolius is a valuable member of our winter flowering shrubs which produce .yearly an abundance of small star-shaped flowers well into the spring: in fact it is seldom without flowers. The foliage has a very pleasant smell. This is also to be seen at Wigzell Gardens. Grevillea dimorpha though allied to the silky oak is quite a small shrub about 4ft high. Its crimson flowers are borne close to the upright stems, the bush taking on an upright habit of growth. It is a good shrub for winter flowering and can be seen at Wigzell Gardens. Pyracantha ai#fcstifolia lacks the graceful habit ofWffe Berberis but is a very’ desirable shrub as it seldom fails to produce an abundance of orangecoloured berries each winted. This is one of the best of the hawthorn family. It may be seen in the Botanical Reserve.