WORK IN THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 24286, 29 August 1942, Page 3

WORK IN THE GARDEN

SOW FLOWER SEEDS. Although vegetables for food are the first consideration in these times, we should not neglect our flower gardens. We must now prepare the soil and positions to receive ttie plants when they are ready for putting out. There arc some varieties of flowering plants the seeds of ■which may bo sown outside from now on, such as Virginian stock, Giant Perfection stock, night-scented stock, nemesia (all varieties), viscaria, pansies, violas, callcndulas (Colossal, a deep yellow of largo size, the finest yet introduced), linaria, scabious, mignonette, larkspur (Giant Imperial), dianthus, cornflower (Jubilee Gem), eschscholtzia, poppy (all varieties, including Iceland, Artists’ Glory), and alyssum (Snow Carpet). For inside sowing in boxes or pans the following may be sown-Lobelia, ageratum (Blue Cap), verbenas, carnations (all varieties), antirrhinum (all varieties), helichrysuin, acrolinum, and rhodanthe (everlasting flowers), nasturtiums (Gleams and trailing varieties), statis, delphiniums, arctotis, calio-psis, alousoa, marigolds (all varieties), everlasting peas, also summer flowering peas, and Livingstone daisies. The begonias and other varieties of flowering bulbs which have been resting should now be set out in boxes, using a. compost which contains plenty of leaf mould or well-rotted manure. It is essential that the compost shall not be too moist when boxing up these tubers. As they break into growth place them as near to the glass as possible, and if required for outside planting the plants must bn thoroughly hardened off before transplanting them into their flowering quarters. Dahlia tubers should now be. looked over and broken up into small pieces containing two or three eyes. These should thyu be boxed up into a free compost containing plenty of open material such as oyster grit, known as oceanic lime. Small tubers give the best results always. In some gardens dahlias are allowed to remain in the ground and are never lifted, but this always means small flowers and far too much wood. For outside planting, which can be carried out from now on, the following bulbs and tubers may be planted:—Lily of the valley, anemones, amaryllis, montbretias (the hybrids are very beautiful), peonies, valotta" iris (Japanese and other varieties), gladiolus for early purposes, agapanthus, homerocallis, and lilium ligrida. THE GLASSHOUSE. Now is the time that palms, aspidistras, azaleas, fuchsias or ferns (all varieties), or any other kind of hard-wooded plants should be repotted. The compost for this purpose, especially palms and aspidistras, should be mixed as follows; —Good fibrous loam, a little sandy peat, leaf mould (well rotted), and sharp clean sand, with a good dressing of oyster grit. When potting the whole should be made very firm around the roots, and the drainage must be made adequate before placing in the soil. After potting, it is not wise to apply much water. Delay this until root action has commenced. . Chrysanthemum cuttings can be inserted. At this stage they will root very freely. It is wise to dip the cuttings before inserting them into a solution of insecticide. By this means a great number of the various pests with which these plants are generally affected will be destroyed. Cuttings of any soft-wooded plants may be inserted from now on, especially fuchsias, geraniums, etc. ’ Seed of begonias, celosias, cockscombs, and petunias for pot plants should now be sown. Keep the surface shaded from the sun and fairly' moist until the seedlings appear. THE TOMATO HOUSE. Sowings of tomato seed should now be made. There is no doubt that tomato plants do much better when the seed is sown in the house where it is intended to grow the plants, the plants when raised in this way do not receive a check through being transplanted' from the boxes. The usual practice is to buy plants that have been raised in excessive heat and are not hardened off sufficiently for the cold glasshouse. The result is that many of the plants die off. The plants also are generally .drawn up, and in this way not fruit until they' reach 2ft to sft in height, which is certainly’ a great waste of space. On the other hand, plants raised in the same temperature as they arc intended to be grown in are always short and sturdy. The above advice is for those who have cold glasshouses.