GARDENING NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 264, 8 November 1945, Page 7

GARDENING NOTES

(Contributed by the Wanganui Horticultural Society) We who possess garden; have an opportunity that is unique. While ministering to our own pleasures, we can at the same time do a national service. There could be no more fitting work, to heal the wounds of those who suffered during the war, than to make New Zealand beautiful. Now is your opportunity. The great planting searon is slipping past; so we should lake advantage of the recent lains and plant our garden to the lull.

In the flower section, Wanganui’s seed shops offer a splendid selection of seedlings for present planting. First amongst autumn flowers are asters; delightful for bedding, so useful for cut flowers. The Giant Crego strain are so dependable and give . plendid quality flowers. Asters prefer soil enriched with blood and bone or cow itianure. Lime is essential. The worst diseases of the aster are wilt and stemiot. Whit can be controlled by liming the soil inoroughly and sterilising the g.'ourd by soaking the soil with a loluLon of Condys—a rich pink.

Our second choice of autumn flowers is zinnias. Contrary to general ideas zinnias require plenty of water. The giant dahlia flowered types are the best. Talking of zinnias, have you ever tried the small pom-pom varieties? They are of more clear colours than the giant types and are of dwarf habit. Other autumn flowers for present sowing or planting are marigolds, salvias, carnations (winter flowering). Amongst the perennials for present planting chrysanthemums and dahlias are at the top of the list. Lime is necessary for the former and plants should be spiayed with a lime-sulphur preparation to control rust. When growing for decorative purposes the chrysanthemum plant should be pinched back when about a foot high to ensure branching. Dahlias of the giant type need heavy feeding of liquid cow manure, but it is advisable not to feed plants of the pom-pom or decorative types — good bushy plants covered with flowers should be your aim.

Now just a few words about your vegetable garden. The two main vegetables (and who does not relish them) for present sowing are peas and beans. The cultural requirements of both are similar. Both need soli rich in lime or superphosphate. In fact lime in some form is absolutely necessary. Both suffer from damp conditions causing the seed to rot or mildew or rust io appear on the leaves. As a precaution against rot, it is advisable to ask your seedsman to treat the seed with a preservative. Too deep sowing is often one of the causes of failure. Of the peas, Stratagem, and Southern Cross are probably the best of the 3j to 4 feet varieties; of the dwarf vanties, Coronal ion, Greenfeast, and a lesser known variety called Onward. Your attention should be called to Southern Cross, a large podded variety, jammed lull of juicy, sweet, luscious peas. French beans sown now will grow fast and give good returns. A big selection is now available. Canadian Wonder is as plendid all-round variety but where the soil is a little on the damp side the Prince should be sown as it is not so prone to take rust. For a hot, dry position Black Valentine is strongly recommended. Of the climbers, Scarlet Emperor (beans A foot long) and Cooper’s Cluster are general favourites. And now to carrots. Why is it that so few gardeners can gVow carrots successfully? I find no trouble and my practice is as follows: Four days before I thoroughly dress the soil with agrici/tural napthaleno. Twentyfour hours before sowing, a trench half-inch deep is opened up and thoroughly watered. After sowing, seed is pressed down with the flat of the foot. Small weeds are allowed to g*ow amongst the carrots; these weeds hiding the young carrots from the carrot fly. Of course keep the .oil between the rows free of weeus. When carrots are an inch high a light dressing napthaline is run along the rows. Thin early and use the young carrots or thinnings for stews. There are several varieties for present sowing, but the writer would like you to try Delicious (a carrot 7 to 8 inches long). Other vegetables to sow are turnips, beet (silver and red), pumpkins, marrows, cucumber (apple and short green\ kohl rabbi, celery, borccoli, leeks, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, sweet coin and radish.