THE FLOWER GARDEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 142, 18 June 1932, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE FLOWER GARDEN

Outdoor operations will now depend upon the state of the weather and the condition of the soil. On no account tread upon the soil after heavy rains, and when the surface is full of moisture. Make this a golden rule. The planting of roses may be proceeded with when the soil is in fit conditioL. Before planting shorten back lon~ straggling roots, cut off any that are bruised and partially trim the tops. Mix up a handful of bonedust with the soil in the holes. Insert the rose well, arrange the roots, place some fine earth over them, tread it down, and fill with loose earth, level with or slightly above the surrounding surface. After dahlias have been carefully lifted and all soil washed from among the. tubers, store them when dry in a cellar Or other suitable place. The last of the leaves will have fallen. Collect them and remove them to the rubbish heap. The winter varieties of sweet peas should be well advanced in growth and need a little regulating and tying up. A light dusting of manure is also beneficial. Primroses, polyanthus, pansies, stocks, wallflowers, calendulas, antirrhinums, linarias and other hardy bedding plants may be planted when conditions are favourable. Anemones, ranunculi, daffodils, irises, ixias, freesias and other hardy bulbs should be tended occasionally. Stir the surface soil and weed around them. Sow under glass seeds of cinerarias, nemesias, stocks, Margaret carnations, verbenas, schizanthus, mimulus, godetia and other annuals for successional plantings.