GARDEN NOTES

Chronicle (Levin), 4 January 1947, Page 7

GARDEN NOTES

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Already plans must be made for next spring 's display and tliere . are seeds whieh should be sown this month and various other. matters to be attended to to ensure that tliings are well in hand for next season. lceland jjoppy seed sliould be sown, now if plants are wanted for early blooming and as they are on,e of the niost welcome of flowers, make sure that - you have a good.supply. These poppies are cpnstantly being- improved upon and the strain known as Gartford Giants are^a long way removed from the small crude yellow and orango ones that were all we had at oue time. Choose-.a well sheltercd place for sowing the seeds which is shaded from hot suu — the' seedlings are very frail in the early stages and easily destroyed by sun and wind. Make up a' small bed for them of very fine soir~mixed. with sand — if necessary, water the bed thoroughly and then leave the seed-sowing till the next day. Draw very shallow driJls aeross tlie bed, scatter the seed thinly and cover lightly with more fine soil and sand. If you have some small branches.or serub such as manuka, lay tlieni over the bed — they - will help to prevcnt the soil drying out and act as a deterrent to eats and birds. Water lightly if necessary, but if yotir soil was riglit before sowing and you provide the protectiye covering, the seeds sliould be up before wateriug is required. Prick oft' the young plants when large enougli to handle, giving thetu a sliglitly rielier soil whieh has been iinied some time before. As gaps appear in suitable places in the flower borders they can be planted out or a bed prepared especially f'or them can be got ready next month. • If early blooming is wanted it is essefitial to have lceland poppies well estabiished and growing before th'e cold-'iweather begins. ' r . ' . Pansies and violas can also be sowfi now and calendulas are very tlsefu! for early fiowering if they! are treated'like the poppies and got under way in good time. ; • Wallflowers, sweet williain and Canterbury "bells sliould be in by now. ' As they are bieunials they eannot be counted upon to flower the* first season tliough if conditions are* favourable maiiy. of the plants will do so. The " cup and saueer" type of Canterbury bell is particularly good with lovely delicate colourings of pink, mauve, blue and purple. These plants like a warm dry sunny position and do not require a rich soil — they will not prosper if they are kept cold and damp during the winter. Wallflower also likes plentv of sun and dry conditions suit them, while sweet william likes a moister and rielier soil. If you have any good spikes of delphinium save them for seed and sow it , as soon as it is ripe as it germinates better when fresh. Lupin seed should be put in now and some of the plants mav flower next spring. This is also the time to sow seeds of poly a:\tlui.s primrose and as this .is one ■ of ^♦thci'geHiSfOf.rthe vspniiigtivne Air is; wortli while getting some leally good . seed and putting it in. Damp and shade are essential and often germinr aiion is slow, somotimes taking six weeks but tlie first leaves have tlie , characteristic primrose appearaiice and f|the young plants are easily distiiiguished. Eeen growers of polyanthus stlways • gi'oiv firesh stoc-k from seed each. year aiid; do not tjii.nk *; .jilantsr -gi vu sti.eii Jiost : df Us qtirs atii&hgy'bbr plafef%>Wi4eh- 'we jike to keep' fiicr'easing bv v dividing," but some seedlings coming on will provide a new interest in the spring.