GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 170, 12 April 1919, Page 12

GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhai.") | ANEJIONB JAPOSIOA. j JAPANESE' ANEMONES. • JaDitneso anemones are indispensable in the autumn p-mlen. _ i'lie.v are the liardiest ol plants, Krowijur enu.a y well in buu or in shade, and are splendid for tmin cai'dons. Anemone Japonica alba has pretty white flowers, which look dainty and refreshing oven when they arc grow in" in the smoky atmosphere of a town. The llowcrini? stems reach a lieight ot about ({tree feet, and should, in windy positions, Us carefully staked. Another variety is anemone Japonica rosea, with pretty rose-coloured (lowers. Both are , splendid crowers, and flower diligently throuEhout tlio autumn. liefore planting, the soil should be very deeply due, and if it can be enriched with ■wcll-tiecaycd manuro or vegetable rubbish so much the better. A little bonedust may bo worked into the soil at planting time. Once established, the plantß need not bo moved for several ye.U's, • therefore deep diggine is of the utmost importance. A mulch of half-rotted cow manure may be spread round plants now; or a dressing of bonedust may be worked in, and a mulch of well-decayed vegetable rubbish given. One of the easiest methods of propagating is by division of tho old roots. This may be done at almost any time, but if done at the end of the .autumn the new plants will liave time to become well established before the next flowcrinpf season. PERENNIAL SUNFLOWERS. IIELIANTHUSES. One can scarcely imagine «n autqmn garden without at least one perennial sunllowcr in it, for the iiowera are among the showiest of the autumn ones, and quantities of them may be had when other flowers arc rather scarce. Their flowering season iB scarcely over, yet already! wo must attend to the planting of new roots for next autumn's display of flowers. Onco planted iu deeply-dug (at least two feet), wetlen richcd soil, a plant need not be moved lor several years, and will provide quantities of lovely golden flowers every autumn. When the old stems die uo ,vn, the plants should be covered if possible with a mulch of welldecayed manure. Old roots that havo become worn out should be lifted now, and strong young pieces from the outside of the clump may be planted back again in new positions. Don't skimp the digging when preparing a place for perennial sunflowers,- for on the depth of their rooting plnce depends the size and much of tho lustre of their flowers, and the length of their flowering stalks. When really well grown, the many varieties of the perennial sunflower are handsome and showy iu the extreme, and the long-stemmed golden flowers are much sought after for cut flowers. ROUTINE WORK. Go over all the beds, pulling out weeds and stirring up the soil. Any runners that are formed on violet plants now should" be removed, so that all the strength may be thrown into the plantß that are already forming flower buds. Work a. little bonedust into tho soil along tho sides of tho rows, and as near the roots as possible. A slight dressing of well-ripened soot, not 011 the leaves, but as near the roots as possible, will ftlso be beneficial. Large roots of primroses and polyanthus primrosos may still bo broken up, and new borders formed, Work a littlo bonedust into the soil about tho roots of tho plants. Primroses and polyanthus primroses like deeply-dug, rather rich soil. Anemones are already showing leaf, and from now on tho soil about them must not be allowed to beoome dry. Work the soil among tho plants carefully with the littlo hand-fork. Anemones soon exhaust tho soil, and should be given a fresh bed every yoar. Mignonette seed may be sown wherever room is available. There cannot be too much of this fragrant flower growing in a, garden. The seed should be sown where tho plants aro to grow. Fork into the soil a good Quantity of coarse road grit, and somo bonedust. Scatter the seeds well, and just barely cover with very fine earth, The seeds of schizanthus and cineraria : may be sown in .1 sunny spot protected from frost, Tho plants will- flower quite early in tho spring. Moronieums may still be lifted, broken up, and replanted in soil to which a little sand and bonedust have been added. Tho plants must be kept well supplied with water afterwards. Doronicums flower better if they aro lifted and divided each autumn. Cosmos are now flowering profusely, and are all. tho better for slight disbudding. Keep the plants well watered and well tied to stakes. Cut bacl; any perennial plantß that have finished flowering: Fill in empty spaces witli bulbs. Canterbury bells, stocks, wullliowers, antirrhinums, oarnatioiiß, pansics, and self-sown annuals. Keep a strict eye on all chrysanthemums. Tile plants are very determined to produce mors buds than they can possibly perfect. .Remove all superfluous ones parly, to throw the strength of the plant into those that are to flower. -Protect tho flowering buds from caterpillars. Place pieces of manuka brush round gerbera plants at the flrst hint of frost. Cut back worn-out lobelia plants and ' work a handful of sand in among the roots. Where Bevcre frosts are exocrienccd, euflicient lobelia plants, to supoly roots for next summer's borders shoul'd lie lifted and replanted in a frost-iu-oo'f position. VEGETABLES. SOWING PEAS. The first sowing of green peaß may be made this week. The soil is now in "good condition for this coiving, for it is still 1 warm and likely to remain moist. Dwarf varieties are the best' to sow at this tune of the year. Soak tho peas for several hours in water before sowing, or, 1 where .sparrows arc likely to be troublesome, in kerosene for an Jiour before sow- , mg. The ground should be deeply dug, and sliouU have decayed vegetable rubbish huiieil about a foot below the surface of the soil. Or the seed may he sown where a green crop has recently been turned in. Work some lime into the soil, 1 lor peas love lime. As soon as the seed is sown place sticks ' along the rows, and stretch threads of ; black cotton along. Don't wait t:ll tho ' green tips appear above the ground, for tlio sparrows will probably see them belore you do. As soon as the seedlings are.about an inch high put some pieces of manuka brush all alone for them to creep jnto. It is wonderful how quickly the vines grow if they have even a little protection. Stake the peas from the very bejTiuunm. The vines -will not bear pods till sunup arrives, but ail through winter they are making atronp growth below tho wound, and building; up such a-vigorous constitution that as soon as warmer weather arrives the vines will leap ahead, appear" 1 * 1 "" Htrun B p° l ' 3 will quickly ROUTINE WORK. * ["!' out seedling lettuce, vabbage, and 1 cauliflowei 111 ground from which potatoes have ,111 st been lifted. Rake tho ground level ;and trample it firm. I'udX the roots of tho seedlings in a thick mixture of cow manure and water ' before hi a ? } K -l 0 1?.' cow manure cannot be had, soil, lime, and soot make a good mixture for puddlintj. Keep I'rench and runner beans well picked, and stimulate the plants with SI! . a !i^ 6 nP pl ,' oS , °l wealc I<(Uli(1 manure. 110 l logularly between all growing cropi Win out carrots,, turnips, etc., Hs soon as the scedjjngs aro big enough to liandl:* Slugs arc on the look-out for tender seedlings, therefore ripe soot should bo dusted along the rows frequently, i L acts as a flno fertiliser when lij;d inI'rotect tomato plants with scrim [it night Inspect rhubarb roots regularly. Remove decnyod leaves, and renew the mulch of well-rotted manure and leaves where necessary. Earth up Brussels Bprouts. Remove any decaying leaves, but on 110 account cut away any of the others. Seedß that may'be sown this week arc:— Pens, broad beans, onions, turnips.' earrots, cauliflower, lettuce, and cabbage. CUCUMBERS. Cucumber plants for winter fruiting are easily propagated by means of cuttings taken now. If the tips of healthy Bhoots are taken, planted lirinly in very sandy soil, and placed in a frame, they wiil root in a few weoks. Make the out just below a leaf. Or if suitable shoots are available, quite big plants may be obtained by layering. Pee the shoot to be, layered firmly to the ground, and covor the part of tho stem where the pee- is with some sandy soil. Keep this moist till roots aro formed. Tlio plants obtained from cuttiugs and layers do not make such vigorous growth ns tho oneß rniHcd from seed later, but they produce quite a good simply offtilce fruit. Anyone with a spare frame or a greenhouse may thus have cucumbers growing and fruiting all through the winter. , Garden Notes next week will con&un . seasonable notes about Iris Slylosa, rhododendrons, and vegetables.