EARLY PLANTINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 762, 7 September 1929, Page 30

EARLY PLANTINGS

SET YOUR TREES NOW It is advisable to complete the planting of hardy trees, shrubs and plants as early in the winter as possible; it is better for them and for the planter. There Is real pleasure in digging and planting when the soil is nicely moist without being sticky and the spade goes deeply without undue effort on the part of the digger. Such conditions usually prevail late In July and early in August, and advantage should be taken of them to get all vacant land prepared; then when the trees and plants arrive it will be an easy matter to put them in, for holes are easily made in freshly dug soil. The longer the period that elapses between planting and flowering, the more satisfactory will be the result: hence the advisability of making a start now. Early winter planting is especially advantageous to fruit trees, shrubs, roses, and hardy border perennials that bloom in early and midsummer.

Beginners will find that it pays handsomely to dig the ground two spits (spade depths), add farmyard manure to the lower level, and a scattering of bone-meal or basic slag to the surface. If the land has not been cultivated for years an application of lime should be regarded as necessary. All the trees and plants in general cultivation will flourish if they are given a really good start in thoroughly cultivated ground, but there will be disappointment if the preliminary work is scamped.