GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2944, 2 December 1916, Page 15

GARDEN NOTES

f (By "Kowhai.") I

MULCTING. A mulch is a layer of some material placed above the soil over the roots of plants to protect the soil from the evu- • poratiun which takes place in summer. If horse manure, is used it must be well rotted, because the idea of a mulch is to keep the roots moist ami cool. Fresh manure would ferment and mako tne roots warm. Care should be taken, also, in using freshly-cut grass, as it becomes heated when damp. AVell-decayed vegetable rubbish that has been rotted down with washing water, house slops, etc.. makes an excellent mulch, especially u wood ashes and occasional dressings ol lime have been added during the process. For certain plants a summer mulch is absolutely necessary, for many others it is advisable. Roses, dahlias, chrysanthemums, liliums, azaleas, rhododendrons, newly-planted shrubs, and fruit tree (those planted last winter), will all be benefited by a light mulch. If only gardeners would pay more attention lo the roots of their plants! All their thoughts nnd attention seem to be centred on the visible part of the plants, and it is really tho roots that are doing the main part of the work. They are such sensitive, delicate little things, some of these roots. They creep along through the sod searching for food and moisture for thi- plants nlways working so willingly, but so often receiving so little encouragement. One of the worst things that can happen to them is a careless and insufficient watering, when merely the surface of the soil is moistened. The tiny roots go up in search of this moisture, and are then exposed to the heat that follows the insufficient watering. The sensitive little things are burnt, and very often wither, and the poor plants receive a severe check. Sometimes they die outright, .. at others they are obliged to expend, in making new fibrous roots, energy that might be diverted into producing perhaps leaves and flowers. A mulch properly applied is a wonderful protection for plants. It keeps the ground cool and moist, keeps out hot, drying winds and burning sunshine, admits moisture, but refuses to allow it to evaporate. Before a mulch is applied, the ground should, therefore, be thoroughly saturated. It is wonderful how quickly plants respond once, they .begin to feci the effects of the mulch. Pnnsies love a mulch of well-rotted manure, and in return for it produce quantities of longstemmed flowers of good substance and colour. Another great advantage of a mulch is that we can syringe the leaves of plants on the evening of a. hot, diisty day, comfortable in the knowledge that it 'will not be necessary to rush out with the hoe early, the. nex£ morning to . loosen the soil lest it cakes. Occasional showers, "too, cease to become a nuisance. They are instead a blessing, because they wash and refresh tho leaves without being able to cako the soil. In a small garden I should advise mulching the whole of it. Those gardeners who go away for a few weeks' summer holiday, leaving their plants to care for themselves, will find the mulch, well applied, a great boon. In districts subject to drought it is a ; good plan to mulch vegetable marrows, pumpkins, cucumbers, Vren.cn. beans, peas, and winter greens. Most gardeners can produce ■ a mulch of some sort. In town it is not possible to store animal manure until it is fit for uso as a mulch, but there are always the grass clippings, weeds, vegetable rubbish, etc. In gardening not a thing need be wasted. Even in the smallest garden weeds and vegetable rubbish can' be rotted down in a hole in some corner. A little fetich covered with a creeper will always hide the hole. Weeds that have not gone to seed can be. pulled up and placed round plants as a mulch. Where decayed vegetable rubbish or grass clippings are being used a little bonedust or guano may first of nil he lightly pricked in about the plants. The best mulch for liliums is decayed cow manure. Dahlias like a mulch of half-rotted cow or pig manure. For chrysanthemums I like.a mulch of thoroughly decayed vegetable rubbish miked with wood ashes and a little coarse sand or road grit. A little bonedust and superphosphate may first of all be pricked in round about tho plants. Rhododendrons and azaleas like a mulch of half-rotted stable manure, but a little bonedust pricked into the soil and a mulch of decayed vegetable rubbish and leaves form a good substitute. All dead flower heads should be kept picked off rhododendrons and azaleas. Eoses are not very particular about the form their mulch takes, as long as their roots are kept cool and fairly moist. If vegetable rubbish or grass clippings are used a little bonedust. should first of all ho pricked into the soil. Mulches should be applied to ground that is damp and warm. They should never be too heavy. Prom one to tiro inches is thick enough for a mulch. MICHAELMAS DAISIES. Work in the garden has of late I>een necessarily fitful owing to the uncertain weather, and many busy amateur gardeners are already behind-hand with their slimmer gardening. But we must spare n few thoughts for our autumn ; display of flowers. These- * constitute' mainly—asters, dahlias, chrysanthemums, and Michaelmas daisies. •Michaelmas daisies, when well grown, are a perfect glory in the autumn garden. Tho plants are very hardy and' increase rapidly. It is not vet too late to break up and replant old roots should the work have been neglected early in the spring. Every year there is some addition to the ranks of these beautiful flowers. Gardeners can obtain now quite a collection of plants. Almost every shade of-lavender and purple is represented, the flowers varying also in size, and the bushes in height and habit. AVhito Michaelmas daisies are always beautiful, and may bo had with either small or large flowers. Several shades of pink are also obtainable. Michaelmas daisies like a-fairly rich .soil, ,with"plenty of wellLdeoayed manure, or well-decayed vegetable rubbish, mixed with it. 'Old bushes should be lifted and broken up every two years. Early in January a little bonedust should bo pricked into the soil about the plants, and if possible a mulch of well-decayed manure should be spread round them. The following varieties are all beautiful:— Brilliant: bright crimson-; Climax: large, clear blue; E.. G. Lowe: large, pale blue; Hon. Edith Gibbs: pale blue flowers, branching habit; Mrs. J. G. Day: rosy pink; Mrs. 6. T. Wright: rosy purple; Rosy Morn: brilliant pink; St. Edwin: large, soft pink; William Marshall: clear mauve. VEGETABLES. PLANTING OUT.CELERY. The trenches should be dug out to. a depth of. one foot. Some"well-rotted manure should bo dug into the- bottom of the trench. About six inches of earth should then bo returned to the trench, and soma bonedust (about four ounces to tho running yard) should bo thoroughly mixed with this. If the trenches are made only a short time before transplanting takes place, the soil should be mado firm by being trampled upon. Celery does better when grown in firm soil. Before transplanting the seedlings. add two inches of very fine soil. A slight dressing of soot may also bo added. Plant the scedliugs about six or eight inches apart. Shade from tho hot sun for a few days, and sprinkle the plants with water morning and evening. As soon as growth has well started, liquid manure should bo supplied. The following seeds may be sown this week, where necessary:—Colei'iac, scarlet runner beans, French beans, radish, carrot, peas, lettuce, pumpkin, marrow, cabbage, and cauliflower. Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about:—Begonias, routine work, and vegetables.