THE GARDEN

Southland Times, Issue 25478, 26 September 1944, Page 8

THE GARDEN

PERENNIAL WEEDS By RIWHI Perennial weeds will be making their appearance in the garden along with the seedlings of annual weeds which were discussed in this column two weeks back. With the perennials their vegetative means of spreading is the cause of serious trouble in many a garden. Creeping stems, strong taproots or rhizomous growths such as those of twitch or Californian thistle constitute a really serious problem in any garden. The tiniest portion of root or creeping stem is usually capable of developing into a thriving plant in a brief space of time, and so very often the steps taken to eradicate these perennial weeds are the very means of spreading them wider and wider. Among the worst of these types are twitches, sorrel, convolvulus, docks, Californian thistle and yarrow. There is no short road to efficient control of such weeds. The only method of attack is a thorough and painstaking effort to clear the soil of every vestige of creeping root or stem. Forking and forking again, even the ( using of a sieve on small areas is advocated. Never allow the weed concerned to develop a green leaf; this method of itself if persisted in over a complete season should see the weed well under control. At the same time steps should be taken to put the soil into good condition for production. Manuring should be done, for this will make the soil more easily worked and ensure the success of the first crops taken off. Again heavy dressings of lime will greatly improve a sour soil which is. generally the habitat of sorrel and docks.

After the weed has been thoroughly cleaned out it is good policy to sow down with a close-growing green manure crop. Lastly it must always be remembered that perennials, whether flowers or vegetables, should never be sown where there is any chance of perennial weeds becoming troublesome. Quick growing temporary crops are the right ones till the soil is clean beyond doubt. DAFFODILS The daffodils seem to have appreciated the moist conditions of the present season, but what is needed now is more sunshine to open the blooms out with firmness and good texture. Coarse, fleshy blooms will never take the judge’s eye on any show bench. Quality, colour and refinement are preferred even in the blooms used for home decoration. Amateurs who make a hobby of daffodils will be pleased to hear of the projected revision in classification. The division known as Leedsii will be abolished, the varieties so classified being absorbed into the Incomparabilis and Barrii divisions. This will help amateur growers, as the present classification does tend to be confusing, and often is the cause of trouble and misunderstanding at district shows. It is interesting also to note that provision is made in this classification scheme for the brighter red cups and. the pinks of the future. If you are showing remember the points of a good flower: perfect and typical form, intensity and clarity of colouring, firmness and fineness of texture, bloom carried high on a strong stem. Always show a bloom just on the immature side rather than as it begins to fade. Always give heed to the symmetry and general balance of each vase or group exhibit. Remember that in a collection, other things being equal, staging, naming and the number of divisions represented are matters that count. Use ' moss or similar natural material to support blooms and not such stuff as newspaper.