GARDEN NOTES

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21524, 12 September 1941, Page 7

GARDEN NOTES

(By “Nikau”)

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT riant raUbage, cauliflower, rhubarb, asparagus, artichoke, herbs (thyme, mint. sag-H, chives, parsley, garlic, etc), onion, lettuce, beetroot, silver beet and potato. sow rnalncrop peas now; good Intermediate varieties are GreenTpast, Rev. Dr. Stuart >or Daisy). Stratagem, and good tall varieties are Duke of Albany and Alderman. These need stakes or netting at least five Teet high. Bow all hardy vegetables now; the most usernl ones are carrot, turnip, lettuce, parsnip, onion, cabbage, leek, peas and beetroot. In a sheltered garden butter beans may he sown, but it Is too early for sweet rorn, runner beans, cucumber, marrow, pumpkin, squash, etc. Sow celery, tomato and Cape gooseberry in a Tramp, nr else In a seedbox to be kept on a sunny verandah. Clear away and burn all diseased leaves of cabbage, cauliflower and silver beet. I sp a't!chokes now. as they will soon be starting Into growth, and their flavour will he spoilt. Finish planting rrult-trees, and pruning apple-trees. Bprav fruit-trees with Bordeaux mixture (Ilh lo fi or s gals.) before the buds burst. In the case of peach, nectarine and plum trees. It will be necessary to use Ilme-sutnhur (1 In 100 or pven 120). as the Bordenux would harm the tender foUae-e and youne fruit. Place some scrim around newly-planted citrus trese. anrl on a frosty night place something over the top of them. too. Start grafting fruit-trees. Instructions will shortly appenr In this column. FLOWERS Continue planting ornamental trees, shrubs, hedge-plants and climbers. htake firmly and tie securely all newly planted trees, especially standard roses. Make another sowing of sweet peas, but in an open situation so that both sides ot the row can be cultivated. I.abel bulbs while they are in flower, and dig out the Inferior kinds as soon as Hip bloom has faded. Sow In the open garden the following very hardy plants: llnarla, viscarla, godetla. c’.aikla. larkspur. ThPEo all transplant rather badly. Asters are better sown where they are to stay, as the transplanting damages the roots, and the way is left oppn for will and other troubles. Make the main planting or gladioli this month, to flower In P 0 to 100 days. In the next four weeks dahlias that were taken up and stored for the wlntei should he replanted. Then, when new growths appear, the clumps should be divided. Those lert In the ground all winter should be lifted now to check them, otherwise they will be too early. Plant out layered carnations', also seedlings or carnations and dlanthus. These like n good deal or lime In the soil. Sow new lawns, using a mixture of hrown tor. Chewing’s fpsrue and crested dogstail. Clover will help to keep the lawn green In summer, but 1s dangerously slippery and must not be used on playing greens. Use same Poan pratensls Tor lawns under trees. Plant stock, pansy, viola, calendula. Iceland poppy and other hardy bedding j plants, in most parts or the Waikato this i is the best time to plant nemesla. THE HUNTLY FLOWER SHOW Last Friday the Huntly Horticultural and Beautifying Society held Its spring show In the Lyceum Theatre. The exhibits were good and fairly numerous, but tbe attendance of tbe public was very disappointing. The champion blooms In the difrerem sections were awarded certificates of merit. The best Trumpet daffodil was Terrlca, the best Incoinparabilis was Pilgrimage; the best Barril was Varna; the best Leedsil was Assinl, and the best double was Irene Copeland. Among the winning blooms In the Provincial Cup were: Jean Hood, Faithful. Terrica, KUllgrew, Kingsford, Pilgrimage. KUlara, Honesty, and at least seven seedlings raised by the exhibitor, Mr Reeco. '

In other classes the following showed up very well: Jubilant. Golden Circle, i Beerslieba. Rangltlkei, Loyalist, Orange Glow, Bodilly. Armistice. Hallmark, Bony- . lliron. Fortune, and Scarlet Gem. Special mention should be made of a lovely double Polyanthus or Tazetta narcissus; Its large cluster of flowers was a= beautirul as a tuberose, and as sweetly scented as any of the polyanthus narcissi. The novice clashes In all sections of the show were well filled, and contained many good blooms. It was a delight to see the old favourite. Lord Robert, appearing still as one or the best yellow trumpet". Mention should be made or the following: a very beautiful bowl of mixed flower"; rwo baskets of mixed flowers; two decorated tables; two splendid vases of violets; a fine vase of hyacinths, and a lovely : epergne. In conclusion, we offer the officials and ; the exhibitors our congratulations. THE HAMILTON FLOWER SHOW An account or this will appear In next week’s notes. DIVIDE THE PERENNIALS A few perennials such as lilies, Dielytra , (Bleeding llearti. and paeon.v roses should 1 be let alone for several years, or at least until they become really crowded, but most herbaceous perennials need to be taken up and divided every two or three years. Examples of the type of perennial are: Michaelmas nnd -Giasta daisies. Helenium, Hudbeckia. Astilbe (or Spiral, Solidago (Golden Rod), scaiiej or Cardinal lobelia, sunflower, perennial phlox and delphinium, but. readers win notice many more as they walk around theti gardens. Usually the best way is to take up a whole clump and set it on a barrow, where It can be divided without much bending of tbe back. A sharp knife may be used, but some kinds of perennials are best i divided by means of two handTorks sei . back to back in the clump and rorced i apart. ! Heleniums and scarlet lobelias may be 1 reduced to single crowns, but most perennials should be allowed several grow- j lng points. In general, the outside shoots are the best, as they have had more light, nlr and food, so the central part should ; he thrown nway. Flag Irises may be reduced to single crowns, but the Japanese | should be allowed four or flve. Delphiniums may be left from one to Tour shoots in the clump, and Gerberas at least ; three. lupins, too, should not be made Into small clumps. The common chrysanthemums must not be Torgotten. flumps with 2 0 shoots will not do as well as those with only two j or three shoots. Some people simply tear I out the unwanted growth", but those left j are danu and have also been drawn I up too high in the nerep competition Tor i light and air. It i" much belter to lift ' The clump, and work the ground and . manure it berore replanting, ir a change , of -oil can be given, so much the better. ; Ft will be seen during a tour or the garden that, most or the herbaceous perennials have made shoot" two to four Incite" long, and have therefore reached ihe proper stage for dividing and replanting.