GARDEN NOTES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24914, 29 June 1946, Page 4

GARDEN NOTES

(Specially Written for “The Press.”) [By T. D. LENNIE. N.Z.] THE FLOWER GARDEN An important job now facing home gar. deners is consideration of. improvements or new plantings. Older shrubs that have passed their best, unthrifty roses, or damaged specimens, can be replaced with more up-to-date sorts to suit your colour scheme. It is important to prepare well any such positions by digging deeply and by working in generous supplies of farm manure or compost if these are available. Hedges may be planted now. For this work it is best to dig out a trench at least 12 inches wide and at least as deep. Then it animal manbre is available, put a three-inch covering in the trench and * dig this well into the subsoil, mixing it well. Plant on this, and fill in with the top soil, tramping in the roots. Most hedge plants are spaced at 18 inches apart. Pruning shrubs in winter is mainly done to improve shape and appearance, or repair breakings. Shrubs that flower In spring are best done soon after flowering. This refers to cydonias, brooms, camellias, lilacs, ericas, boronia, and flowering currant. Lift dahlias and store under cover. If named, wire the labels to the stalks. Chrysanthemum tops should be cut off just above ground level to allow base growths to harden up. Later, the clumps can be broken up for replanting. Autumn-sown sweet peas will be starting to climb. , Help the young* plants by pushing In twiggy branches for shelter and support. Plant polyanthus, and if necessary lift and divide old clumps to fill gaps. All kinds of herbaceous border perennials are now due for attention, and can be treated in the same way with good effect. In the rockery, there should be no empty pockets to spoil the general display. There are so many good things that can be grown to best effect only on a rock garden. Plant paeonies and perennial phlox. Few things are so generally useful or decorative in summer as these bold plants. Dig the ground between shrubs, burying the leaves. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN Prepare the soil for spring sowing, and dig deeply all vacant spaces. It is the best time of the year to apply lime in carbonate form. This can be scattered over the dug soil at the rate of two good handfuls to the square yard. If planting rhjibarb or asparagus later, treat the ground as above, but also dig in as much manure or compost as possible. Plant early cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, and shallots. Get potato seed under cover to sprout. Expose to all weather but frost. Sow a row each of early peas, broad beans, and lettuce. All root crops can now be dug and buried lightly m a convenient corner. Green crops can also be dug in now. Apply lime when doing the work. THE FRUIT GARDEN Pruning and spraying should now be in full swing. Old over-balanced trees will 1 benefit from a drastic reduction in height and spread. When thick? branches are : sawn off, the cuts should always be painted over with tar or red oil. The alm should be to build a medium height tree, with all main branches radiating to different points. Prune gooseberry and currant bushes first. These also should have a red oil ; spray. Plant all kinds of fruiting trees. As these benefit from the presence of lime, ’ the burying of bones, brick, and mortar rubbish is beneficial. PLANTING OF Gooseberries and currants should be planted five feet apart. Apples require ’ 14 feet, and pear, quince, peach, and nec- ! tarine trees may be given even more. ! When planting any number, one row : can be- set opposite the gaps of the first * row, thereby giving more room to each, with added benefit to the rooting system.

CRAZY PAVING This name may not be a good one though the results can be quite satisfactory and very permanent if properly done. Flat stones or broken concrete are used, laid either on a good clay foundation or on a cement floor. Spaces are left between the flags for dwarf-growing plants, and it is surprising how these flourish where suitable pockets of soil are provided for them. The minor spaces between the flags should be finished with cement, and the whole surface left even and flat. Plants used for crazy paving, do not seem to mind being walked on. and such a path und?r shady conditions can be most effective.