HOME GARDENS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 51, 9 February 1949, Page 6

HOME GARDENS

(By J. W. Goodwin, N.D.H. (N.Z.), F.R.H.S., Massey Agricultural College.) SOME COMMON MISTAKES |There is no time better than the present, in which to plan garden alteration. With plants in full growth, it is much easier to see what is needed, and also the size and shape of any new subjects required. Alterations are usually carried out during the autumn and winter months, and for this reason it is esential that plans should be made before winter flower or bulbous subjects are planted. Love of gardening is a common bond wherein much practical and useful information is exchanged. We will discuss a few mistakes which frequently lead to disappointment and sometimes create unnecessary work. Preparation of the Ground It is essential that, before any permanent planting is carried out, all weeds of a perennial nature should be removed, particularly convolvulus, and twitch types. The former may be destroyed by one or two sprayings with a hormone weed killer but, once established in. a hedge or shrubbery, it is almost impossible to eradicate without killing other plants. The twitches are removed by forking over the ground after the surface has been broken up. There are other less common weeds of a similar nature,. and this ground should be used only for annual crops of vegetables or flowers until it is clean. Docks and dandelions should never be hoed, as each small piece of root will make new plants. Always work over the area' with a fork before hoeing to remove these and other perennial weeds. Fallacy of Over-Liming There is also a tendency to lime heavily and indiscriminately. Only a small section of ornamental plants require lime and a larger section definitely resent it. Even in the vegetable garden potatoes and tomatoes dislike lime, and among the fruits it is detrimental to raspberries and strawberries. Lime only those plants are definitely lime-lovers, and take care that it is not washed down through the sloping soil to acid-loving plants somewhere lower down. „ Many ornamental subjects fail to flower or fruit if they have been fed with rich manures, whilst the vegetable and fruit sections require well-balanced feeding. The treatment of many individual subjects is discussed during the year, but the only general rule is to give light applications of a standard mixed fertiliser or organic manures to unhealthy-looking plants. Selection of Plants Many plants selected are unsuitable for the soil or position they are intended to occupy. Perhaps this is because the plants, or partly-grown specimens seen in nurseries, fail at that stage to show the full size of the adult tree, that so many trees chosen become too large for the garden. No matter how desirable they may be large trees should never be grown where there is insufficient room for them to reach their full stature and majestic beauty. They may overshadow the house, fill the spouting with leaves or needles, and become out of proportion to the surroundings. The finest plant in a'friend’s garden may be a weak and sickly plant in ours, if the soil is unsuitable or the position is unduly exposed. Far too many fine plants fall into disrepute because they are grown in positions to which they are unsuited. Many sun-lovers fail to flower in rich soils and shady places, but not all sun-l'overs will stand extremely dry conditions or poor soils. Regular readers of these notes will notice how the plants have been grouped in various sections ac cording to their suitaiblity and hardiness. Dependable nurserymen will also advise the gardener as to the most suitable position for the various plants he grows in a particular district.