Home Gardens

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 31, 19 March 1948, Page 6

Home Gardens

(By J. W. Goodwin, N.D.H. (N.Z.), F.R.H.S., Massey Agricultural College.) PLANNING ALTERATIONS My main object in the compilation of these notes is to help gardeners to grow and display their plants to finest effect, and to obtain the best from the soil in floral colour and edible crops. For many years I have always made time to stroll through the residential areas of towns which I happen to visit. Two points stand out. The first is the selection of shrubs and small trees which form the background and “frame” the picture, as it were. Far too often do we see strong-rooting coarse shrubs without character and of little beauty when in flower.

The second point which stands out is lack of planning and grouping to show plants to best advantage. Although plants have their individual likes and dislikes, they should be grouped with plants which require similar conditions. This arrangement should be carefully planned to make the most effective use of material, and the whole blended into a natural picture. Where I have observed planning in gardens it has usually occurred in several gardens in the same area. By observing the results of a neighbour’s efforts and discussing successes and misfortunes, they have attained a high standard of gardening. In casual conversations I have learned that the majority keep diaries or carefully recorded notes. I have frequently advocated this means as the surest way to success. One cannot remember the names, the grouping, the soil conditions, the height or time of flowering without some such assistance. Plan Well Ahead All enthusiastic gardeners plan major or minor alterations with the object of improving their gardens. Whilst this is essentially a job to be carried out in winter, when most plants are dormant, it is much easier to plan and make preparations now. In the first place it would be a pity to plant bulbs or winter or spring flowering subjects, and later find them to be in the way of a new path or just where one intended to plant a new shrub. Speaking of paths, they may be formed now if there are not too many subjects in the way, and will be thoroughly consolidated before winter. However, it is unwise to disturb plants now, and if they are in the way one must wait until later. After the autumn rains it will be advisable to wrench all evergreen trees and shrubs which it is intended to move. With well-established plants this is best done in two stages. First cut one side, preferably in March if the ground is moist, and firm the soil back into place. The second cut may be made three or four weeks later and the plant lifted a little to break any roots uncut. With small plants place the sharp spade about one-third of the plant’s height away from the stem at an angle of 50 degrees from the ground and cut in to the full depth of the blade. Two or three cuts may be necessary to cut halfway round. With larger subjects a trench should be made halfway round and deep enough to reach below the main mass of roots. Cuts are then made under these roots and towards the centre, severing any downward roots at a depth usually of about one-third the height of the plant, depending on the soil and the type of tree. Large deciduous trees are sometimes treated in the above manner one or two years before it is intended to shift them, and the trench filled in .with a mixture of soil and well rotted organic material to encourage the development of a new fibrous root system. Actual transplanting will be discussed later.

Now is the time to obtain manure or stack bottom. If obtainable, build it up into a square heap and water the material if very dry. Peat and natural rock for rock gardens are two materials which may be difficult to obtain later when the ground is wet.

I will emphasise only two points on the selection of flowering material. (1) Select a good proportion of plants which have a long and colourful flowering season, even if they are common. (2) Consider the time of flowering, aim at having colourful groups of bulbs, annuals or perennials, in addition to trees and shrubs, for every week of the year.