WORK IN THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 24292, 5 September 1942, Page 3

WORK IN THE GARDEN

With the advent of September conics the ■beginning of the real garden work. Although the chill of winter still lurks in the air, we know that the real spring is not far away. In the vegetable garden almost everything can be planted, but before plantink or sowing, a dressing of manure must be given if the crops are to be a success. When growing vegetables, flowers, or fruit,. remember this: Sow less seed but cultivate more and use more manure. There are still plenty of manures suitable for these purposes on the market which are obtainable for small gardens. Where lime is required now is the time tp apply it, just prior to showing or planting. The wise gardener will not allow it to remain on the surface, but will lightly work it into the surface. In this way it will help to create healthy bacteria. THE FLOWER GARDEN. The spring bulbs are beginning to throw up their flower spikes. A dressing of an artificial manure worked into the surtaca wilt greatly assist them at this stage. The same advice applies to the polyanthus, the pansy, the viola, etc. Iced the plants cf pansies and violas with wan tonic manure, and watch the results. The plants will produce tremendous blooms when this manure is worked in around them. the perennial borders. Front now on all perennial plants should be planted. Where the plants have become too large, and are overshadowing the plants that surround them, they should be lilted and divided, up into small clumps, and it possible transplanted into another position. Nearly all the varieties of perennials maybe • lilted (where required) at this stage. Before replanting the clumps it is essential that plenty of manure (animal if possible) should be dug in. Failing this, garden refuse, makes a splendid substitute. When'planting new borders, sites should be kept vacant for the planting of a Jew outstanding annuals, such as cosmos (Sensation). This novelty is bound to become very, popular when known, as the plants are dwarf and commence to bloom at least six weeks earlier than the old type of cosmos, and the blooms are much larger and make ideal-cut flowers. -A. few plants of kochia tricophylla would also set off the other plants, especially when planted in groups of threes. ,' . ~ Another variety of flowering plant is the marigold (Sunset Giants). The plants are dwarf, with blooms of immense size, and the colourings ore beautiful. Iceland poppies are also well worth a position in the perennial borders if planted in groups of about a dozen. These delightful plants, with their glorious colour--ings,. will certainly be admired throughout the summer months. Artist’s Glory is the outstanding variety up to date, for colours and stem. . Where the borders are large, with plenty of room, a few clumps of sweet peas should be planted, as these will break the flatness generally seen in such borders. Plant also the new calendula, yellow colossal. Space should also be allowed .to plant edgings of either dwarf marigolds, dwarf petunias, nemesias, or alyssum (snow carpet, with Mrs dibran. lobelia, a large-flowering deep-blue, with a very compact and dwart habit. THE ROCKERY. This stage is the best time to transplant all alpines and other varieties of rock plants. lam afraid that many people make a. mistake m planting new alpines, etc., m the autumn and winter months, as the climatic conditions in and around Dunedin then are not by any means ideal for the planting of these plants. At this stage there should be no trouble in planting out new pockets. It is advisable to get information as to soil, etc., before planting some of the varieties of alpines, as what will be suitable for one variety will not be suitable for others. When renovating old pockets where the plants are well established a - good dressing of leaf mould, and clean, sharp sand will certainly help them to form new growth. A few pockets planted with the following annuals will certainly not be amiss: Brachycome(Swan River daisy), felecia (kingfisher’daisy), Livingstone daisy, misembry-T an.themum, portulaca (single and double), tsgatei, . ursinia, Virginia stock (Crimson King); marigolds (Monmouth strains, very dwarf), cheiranthus (Siberian wallflower), alyssum . pr.QCiltnbens , (snow carpet), and allwoodie pinks. Anemones can still be'planted, and these make-an excellent display in pockets. , .. ' F.S.P.