THE GARDEN

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17834, 30 April 1926, Page 13

THE GARDEN

WORK FOR ALL SEASONS

KITCHEN GARDEN. Seeds to Sow.—Cabbage, broad beans, spinach-. - What to plant.—Cabbage, endive, lettuce. Go through Brussels sprouts and kindred crops, and remove all decaying leaves. Push on with routine work. Dig or trench all vacant quarters, leaving the surface as rough as possible. FLOWER GARDEN. The frosts will soon bring the leaves down from deciduous trees and shrubs. These will make the garden rather untidy, but will serve as a reminder that we shall soon have the daffodils with us again. May is a good time to overhaul the herbaceous border. If this work is done at once the plants will soon take hold of the soil, and make a much stronger growth next season than they would if the work were done after the winter. Hardy perennials are generally allowed to remain in the same position for a number of years, and the natural result is that they become unduly large, with weakened growths, and smaller flowers. Most herbaceous plants should be taken up, divided and replaced every third year. By adopting this method of treatment the borders are kept in splendid condition, the strong growing subjects not being allowed to smother the smaller plants. If there are large quantities of herbaceous border, it would l>e wise to lift and replant a third of them every autumn. This work should be done with some method. Lift each clump

carefully, with all the roots, and pack each kind close together in a shady position. Next give the border a good dressing with manure. Remember that it. is only once in three years that the border is clear, therefor let the quantity and quality be on a liberal scale. Trench the ground quite thirty inches

deep, which should be-the minimum depth. If possible trench three feet, for the deeper the trench the greater the amount of moisture the soil can absorb and store for feeding the plants during the dry summer weather. Replanting requires great care. Blend the colours in judicious harmony, and plant firmly, putting durable labels to each group. Planting being finished, lightly fork the surface, and if there are any tender subjects that need some protection during June and July supply this before the soil is finally forked over. LAWNS. Lawns need some attention. Where the soil is on the light side top-dress at once. Put some two inches of good soil all over the surface, for it must be remembered that if it is desired to keep the root plants in good order they must be fed. Work the soil in between the blades of grass with the back of a rake, passing it to and fro. Do not roll the lawn for several weeks. Leave the soil loose. The rains will wash it down into the crowns of the grass plants and these will then send out new roots into it. Where the lawn is on heavy soil top dressing should be done in August, when the grass is about to start into new growth. TIIE PLANTING SEASON. The planting season is at hand. It should be borne in mind that the best results are derived from early planting, therefore get busy. Planting is the second part of the work. Preparing the position is the first, and this work should be completed before the new shrubs are obtained. The sooner all shrubs and trees are put back into the ground, the better. Some suffer severely if kept out of the ground for a few days, consequently the plants can be put in immediately they are received.