WINTER CHANGE-OVER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18398, 16 May 1934, Page 3

WINTER CHANGE-OVER

THE BOTANICAL GARDENS PLANTING SPRING BLOOMS Tin? liot:iiiii:i! Gardens arc now undergoing the v. inter change-over in preparation lor a blaze of color during the early spri .g. .Not nearly so many flowers are m evidence j n it iK.v- , Imt the Hardens present a neat appearance. Fondlings have been planted out i t bods lately cleared <d an num flower. 3, and these are thriving as a result, of the recent rains. It is the practice of the head gardener, Mr. I l '. Humphreys, to save his own seed, obviating heavy purchases, and as a result there still remain a few beds of blooms now past their best. However, these will he cleared as soon as the seed lias ripened, and these hods, too, will In' planted with plants that bloom in the early spring. Antirrhinums, aquiiegias, Iceland poppies. dianthus, and Sweet Williams have been planted front seedlings taken from the little sheltered nursery, and bulbs also will form a, feature of the early spring display. Calendulas will be put in shortly. The.last of the zinnias and bonfire salvias are still blooming, but these, too, will give way shortly to seedlings. Roses are still in bloom, and will bo pruned next month. The cosmos have just finished blooming, and seed is being saved from it before it will bo cleared Preparations are being made to replant the beds in the Maltese cross with ranunculus and anemones. Although cold weather was experienced with the recent rains, the seedlings and Tfiwns were brought on well. Everything is growing exceptionally well for this time of the year. In the vegetable garden, 4000 cabbage recently planted out have been assisted by the recent rains, and are making good progress. Leeks and carrots are ready for the depot, and lettuce, red beet and early kale are coming on. Arrangements are being made to deepen the drains through the vegetable garden to let away more quickly the water from a spring at the back, and this should give better winter growth in the area affected.