WINTER IN THE FLOWER GARDEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 726, 27 July 1929, Page 32

WINTER IN THE FLOWER GARDEN

During the present month seed sowing in the flower garden is practically suspended. Only the hardiest sorts may be sown, and these only in protected spots that are well drained. After the heavy rains experienced last month a little more care than usual should be given to the digging over of beds. It will be of great benefit to leave the soil loose and the surface rough in order to allow free access to the air. Digging should be left until all the leaves of deciduous trees have fallen, so that double work is not made necessary. Small quantities of bone manure or stable manure may be turned in at the same time. This is specially desirable in the case of shrubberies. This useful class of plant is frequently neglected in the matter of manure, and is sometimes condemned as unsuitable, when perhaps an application of manure would make all the difference between success and failure. Now is the best time to apply it. In the process of general clearing up there is no better time that the present for mending pergolas, arches and similar structures. These have been exposed, it may be for several years, to the weather, and sooner or latqr parts become decayed and covered with a growth of fungus. Furthermore, such plants as roses are nowfree from leaves, and it is much easier to manipulate the branches when in that state than later, when in full foliage. The planting of roses will now be commenced, and w-here space is available an entire bed should be set apart for the culture of these favourites. If grown in this way the best results are obtained; but there are many gardeners who have but a limited area to devote to the culture of flowers, and are therefore compelled to grow their roses among the other flowering plants. The soil most suitable for the cul tivation of them is a rich loam that has just a little clay in its composition. If the soil is very sandy a little clay should be added to the soil before the roses are planted. This should not be in the form of lumps freshly dug out of the ground, but should be clay that has been exposed to the atmosphere for a considerable time, so that it has become friable, and will readily mix w-ith the soil.