GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 30, 29 October 1921, Page 13

GARDEN NOTES

(By

"Kowhai.")

l AUTUUN-J’LOWERING ANNUALS. Xutumn-flowering annuals may be sown • in the open garden wherever the soil is I not too sodden with rain Thia season it la difficult to get one’s sowing in the open done, because the ground scarcely has time to dry before more rain sets in. Those who havo light, sandy soils

have a better chance than those with heavy ones, for heavy soils, unless they were deeply dug early in the winter, are still wet and cold. Before sowing the seeds work a dressing of bonedust into the soil, just pricking it lightly into the surface. Bow the seeds very thinly, and just barely cover them with fine soil and wood-ashes mixed. Wherever it is possible spread some light material over each seed patch, keeping it there until the seeds germinate, but taking care that It does not press heavily upon the soil. As soon as the seedlings are big enough to handle they should be thinned out. COSMOS. Cosmos is generally sown in fine firm soil, and the seedlings are transplanted afterwards to other parts of the garden. The buslies grow to such a size that only one can with safety be left in the seedbed When the seedlings are ready for transplanting, mix up some good soil, leaf soil, finely-sifted manure, and sand. Hava the mixture moist and sun-warmed, and nut a little of it in each hole when planting out the seedlings. A dusting of bonedußt also in the holes will help the plants Never 1 plant out seedlings into cold wet Boil. Coemos seedlings may be transplanted when they are just showing their true leaf. Plant firmly and shade from the sun for a few days. As soon as the seedlings are a few inches high, pinch the tops off to make the plants bushy. ASTERS. Asters should bo sown in ground that was thoroughly trenched and manured early in thq year. Without asters in the garden it is difficult to have a good display of flowers during the end of February and the beginning of March. At the time of planting out the seedlings, work into the soil a little bonedust. As soon as hot weather sets in, thoroughly soak tho ground with water, and then apply a light mulch of well-decayed manure. MARIGOLDS. Marigolds revel in a sunny position Knowing this, many people give them ths sunniest and driest part of the garden, but they overlook the fact that marigolds also like well-prepared soil, and then wonder why the plants are so stunted. The soil should be deeply dug, and should have a good supply of well-decayed vegetable rubbish worked into it. A little bonedust should be added just before sowing As soon as the seedlings are big enough they should be thinned out, and during their whole period of growth the hoe should bo kept at work among the plants. ZINNIAS. Zinnias are most useful for providing a fine display of flowers at a time when the summer flowers are over, and the autumn ones scarcely out. For dry, sunny gardens they are exceedingly useful, provided the soil is well prepared beforehand. To grow zinnias successfully tho soil should be dug to- a good depth, and a good quantity of well-rotted manure should be worked in. Special attention should be paid to the subsoil in

heavy soils, as zinnias will not thrive unless good drainage is provided. Zinnias like plenty of sunshine, but they also like good, rich, decayed manure or veget-

able rubbish to root into. Like most annuals they appreciate a little lime in tho soil. Seeds may be sown in the open ground and the seedlings transplanted ns soon as they are big enough to handle. Pinch 'out the tops as soon ns the plants are a few inches high to induce bushy growth. SWEET SULTAN Sweet Sultan makes a great display all through the summer and autumn. The plants are quite hardy, and seedlings sown in the autumn come through the winter well and flower early in the summer. The flowers are beautiful—something like a glorified thistle—and the colours are white, yellow, pink, silvery lilac, and purple The plants should bo grown in groups to get the best effect. Like most annuals, the plants appreciate deeply-worked soil, and a dressing of bonedust worked into the surface just before ’the seed is sown. RED SUNFLOWER.

The red sunflower is a charming addition to the autumn-flowering annuals. In appearance it is very much like a giant gailiardia, and its colouring—cinnamon red with a yellow band round the edges of the petals—is most effective. To he seen at its' best it should be grown in bold groups of from five to nine plantn. Seeds may be sown in deeply-dug, wellenriched soil. A sunny position is essentiaif. When the secciiings are a few inches high, the tops should be pinqhed off to ensure more bushy growth, but where tall plants and large flowers are preferred, this should not be done. SALVIA. Salvia ie so difficult to bring through the winter that it is best to treat it tts an annual Salvia is one of the most gorgeous of the border plants. It shows to advantage best when grown in groups or in a whole bed. The brilliant scarlet flowers are produced so freely that the bushes become simply a blaze of colour. Seeds may be sown now KOCHIA TRICHOPHILA. Kochia trichophila is a charming little annual that is grown entirely for its foliage. The leaves arc very finely cut, and during tb.4 summer are a pretty shade of green. "But it is not until the autumn that the plant attains its full beartty. Then the foliage becomes wonderful shades of crimson and purple that blend well with the rich tones of chrysanthemums and dahlias, and the delicate shades of cosmos and Michaelmas daisies. The bushes are upright and compact, growing to a height of two or three feet. The soil should not be too rich, but rich enough to allow even growth. Seeds may bo sown now.

SEEDS TO BE SOWN. Sowings should bo made now of primroues and polyanthus primroses, Bwoot william, Canterbury bells, wallflowers, stocks, cquilegias, friesias, carnations, pinks, gypsophila ; (perennial), pentstemons, antirrhinums, perennial poppies, thalictrum dipteracnrpuip. delphiniums, anemones, and gaara lindbeimeri. VEGETABLES. Seeds that may be sown this week where necessary are: — Radish.—Sow broadcast in rich, firm ground. Carrot.—Sow thinly in drills twelve inches apart Both Short Horn and intermediate varieties may be sown. Turnip.—Sow iu ground that was richly manured for a previous crop, er in ground that was manured early in the autumn. Make the soil firm. Sow thinly in drills 12 inches apart. Keep the ground as moist as possible.- Duet root over the seedlings frequently. Garden Swede.—Same treatment as for turnips. Sow thinly in drills 18 inches apart, and thin out to six or eight inches in the rows. Peas—Sow in drills from two to three feet apart. Ground should bo trenched and manured, and should have wood ashes mixed with it. Dust bonedust in the drills when- sowing. Provide strands of black thread at the time of sowing; otherwise sparrows will dig up the seed Parsnips.—Sow in ground that was well manured for a previous crop. Have tho soil very lino for a depth of about 18 inches, for lumps may cause the roots to bo deformed. Onions.—Make the soil firm by treading on it. but do this only when the soil is dry. The ground must be rich for onions. Sow tho seed in drills 12 inches apart. French and Butter Beans.—Sow in drills two feet apart, and have the seed six inches a.part/in the rows. Dust bonedust in the drills when sowing, and give a slight dressing of superphosphate as soon as the plants are a couple of inches high Beet.—Sow the seed in drills 18 inches apart in ground that was manured for a previous crop. The soil should be deeply dug and made firm again before the seed is sown. As soon as the seedlings arc big enough to handle thin them out Lettuce.—Sow thinly in drills 15 inches apart, and thin out to nine inches in the rows. The ground should be deeply dug and enr'chcd with well-decayed manure. Vegetables to be enjoyed, must, be grown quickly. Tho greatest aids to quick growth are sufficient moisture and constant hoeing. Wherever soot can be obtained, sprinkle it along the rows and hoe ft in. It is one of the finest of fertilisers. Seeds of cabbage. Barovs, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, a.nd cauliflower should be sown this month. Care must be taken to prevent the seedlings suffering from drought at any time. Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about carnations, routine work, and vegetables.