GARDEN NOTES.

Thames Star, Volume LXI, Issue 16277, 22 January 1927, Page 6

GARDEN NOTES.

SEASONABLE HINTS

(Contributed by “Carnation.”)

Dry conditions prevail at present and attention must be paid' to water ing and mulching wherever possible. This form of maintaining the water at the roots of plants keeps them growing during die hot meather, where othei° wise they would bo feeling the drought. It is at tliis time of the year that shrubs, trees and roses make their growth, it there is sufficient moisture at their roots. Rhododendrons and such trees form their flower buds for next season’s blooming, during the summer and autumn.

Some of the spring flowering annuals have completed growth for the year, and the dry weather has answered for some of them. Iceland poppies, though in cool districts are classed as perennials, in our warm climate are only annuals. They are best planted so as to complete their blooming season before tlie dry weather sets in. Primula malacoides is another perennial which had only be classed as an annual in onr climate. Few plants survive the drought. Chorkins planted early will be over by now or well past their best. They should be pulled out to give more room to othev things growing near by. All summer flowering plants such as zinnias, antirrhinums, larkspurs, roses, pansies, carnations, etc., do much better if the spment flowers are removed to prevent seeds forming. Tho object of all plant life is to flower, seed, and reproduce its kind. If we prevent this reproduction by 'removing all dead flowers and seed pods, we can prolong the flowering period considerably, and at the same better flowers are produced. The rapid growth made by plants during the wet weather will need to-be staked and tied securely to prevent damage by winds usually experienced at this time of the year. Growth is very rapid during summer, and there fore is tender and easily broken by winds.. Chrysanthemums and dahlias will need attention also delphiniums will require sticks and ties. Remove superfluous side-shoots from chrysanthemums and tie those remaining to the sticks. Water copiously during dry weather and keep a look out for aphis and blight, such as rust. Rust attacks the lower leaves and sometimes, if not checked, will destroy the whole plant. Spray with Bordeaux mixture, with the addition of arsenate of lead for the destruction of leaf-eating pests, such as caterpillars. Hoc-ing is very effective at this time of the year as weeds soon die and the loosening of the surface soil helps to retain the moisture in the soil. Keep sweet-peas well picked and "’ell watered if a continuance of blooms is expected. They soon go out of bloom if allowed to seed.

Keep the lawns cut and all edges neatly elioped and if possible watered. VEGETABLES . Where potatoes are .ripe they 7 should be dug and stored for future use. They will start again into growth if allowed to remain in the ground too long and then the tubers will become useless. Where late potatoes were planted keep the soil earthed lip to them and good crops should result. Ivuniaras are growing fast now. Keep the runners from rooting by occasionally lifting them. Do not allow them to run too fan*, but stop them when about two feet long

Pumpkins and marrpws are growing fast now and they can be assisted greatly by the application of liquid manure to the roots. If they have been given a good deal of decaying matter on which to grow they will not require manure, but if grown on ordinary' garden soil, it is wise to feed them occasionally. ' Cucumbers require the same treatment. Be sure to remove cucumbers and marrows before they are ripe if the plant is expected to continue producing. Tomatoes w.il require attention also. Young plants need training to sticks and all side-shoots removed, while older ones will require further ties and perhaps the top growth stopped above a hunch of buds. This diverts all the energy of the plant into the production of fruit, instead of growth and larger and earlier fruit will result. Keep an eye open for signs of blight and as soon as seen cut it away and spray all plants thoroughly with Bordeaux mixture. When fruit is growing add arsenate of lead to the spray for the destruction of caterpillars. Water the plants whenever possible during dry weather, except when strong sun is on them. This precaution is for blistering the fruit. Keep runner French beans well picked, also pease. AH these things produce more if they are kept well picked. Later apples and pears will require another spraying with insecticide for the protection against codlin moth, Keep hedges well cut and clippings burnt or set to decay oil the compost heap. . , Attend to the summer pruning ol apples bv shortening of the young growthrs. This tends to form fruit buds where otherwise leaf growth would bo formed.