HOME GARDENS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 1, 29 September 1948, Page 6

HOME GARDENS

(By J. W. Goodwin, N.D.H. (N.Z.), lege.) The much-hoped-for Royal visit is to become a reality and civic authorities throughout New Zealand are planning to beautify our cities. The home gardener may assist the official preparations, but by far the greatest contribution will be from, his or her efforts in the home garden and on the street frontages. The combined effect will be almost unbelievable and will create lasting impressions of the people and their homes. Whilst major work will be concentrated along the Royal route, no residential suburb should be neglected. Visitors both from overseas and froip other parts of the Dominion become more numerous every year, and they almost invariably desire to visit the residential areas.

The most lasting impressions which visitors receive are: Firstly, the neat appearance of lawns, hedges and gardens, which reflect a neat and tidy people; secondly, the refreshing green of lawns and trees accentuated by colourful displays of flowering plants, which indicate an appreciation of the beautiful and a love of nature. So often we fail to realise the effect of these surroundings oh those who live and grow up among them. While not noticeably apparent, they are, nevertheless, firmly impressed, and create a love of flowers, a sense of responsibility and an appreciation of one another’s efforts. There is nothing more refreshing than to take an evening stroll along a street in a garden suburb. The effect on the gardener is also of considerable importance—healthy exercise in the open air and an allabsorbing hobby which. takes the mind away from business and the worries of modern life.

The Grass “Berm” These refreshing green strips of lawn between the footpath and the front fence or the roadway, may be made very attractive by regular mowing. If the existing lawn is worn in patches, they are most easily repaired by lifting a few turfs from a less-used portion of the back lawn. The old soil should be removed to the required depth and the turf set about 4-inch above the surrounding lawn. It should be beaten down flat and a little fine soil taken in among the grass and into the crevices. A 50-50 mixture of sulphate of ammonia and superphosphate applied at the rate of loz per square yard will stimulate the turf and induce root development. There is still time to do this though if conditions are very dry it may be necessary to water the turf until it knits.

Should the soil be packed hard, the lawn may be greatly improved by pricking the soil every 4 to 6 inches with the garden fork and lifting the turf slightly before withdrawing the fork. This improves the soil aeration' and stimulates the grass. It will also assist the penetration of moisture and help the lawn through dry periods.

Topdressing’ Lawns Lawhs respond rapidly and thicken up into a good turf which is better able to withstand drier periods later on. Topdressing with the 50-50 fertiliser, as applied to new turf, will make a wonderful improvement. Care must be taken not to allow this to fall too thickly, or burning may result. Select a day with a light breeze blowing and throw the fertiliser outwards and slightly upwards to ensure even dispersal. Alternately it may be sown during light rain. For lawns of fine grasses where clover is not desired the proportion should be two parts of sulphate of ammonia to one part of superphosphate. This will maintain an acid soil-condition most suitable to fine grass and checking clover. The edges to these lawns should be cut parallel with the kerb to give a neat appearance, and if the edge is very high it should be sloped at an angle of about 60 degrees. The sloping edge, will withstand walking on much better than the vertical, one, which tends to crumble and break the line of turf. A narrow border may be left along the outside of the front fence and planted in dwarf hardy plants. The width may vary from 12 to 18 inches, according to the width of lawn in front. This should be 3 or more times the width of the border. ( It is usual to plant a single variety, which ensures uniformity, or two plants of similar size may be planted alternatively.