THE FLOWER GARDEN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 207, 17 September 1937, Page 15

THE FLOWER GARDEN

Spring, with her more congenial weather sets the gardener thinking about reconstructing his flower beds and planting out schemes for a bright display through the summer months. Gardeners must now get busy, for the work automatioally brings health and liappinegs and sets a sure foundation for the cultivation of a joyous home and life. Seed Sowing. During the month large sowiugs of seed shoitld be made to enSure bright displays during the summer and autumn months. The folldwing can now be safely sown in the open ground:— Clarkia, Centures, Mignonette, Yirgin ian Stock, French Marigolds, Plilox, Dwarf Alyssum, Linaria and Liptosyne. Oahlias and Mum?, Cutting should be taben now of cliryslinthemum plants for setting out in November. Secure good stout tops about 4ins long, cutting below a bud eye with a sharp knife. Dahlia tubers may now be. planted in boxes for striking new stocks. Lawn Renovation. Spring is a good pcriod for patching up the b^re places iu an established lawn. One pound of seed will sow from 20 to 25 square yards. Rako thoroughly the bald places and topdress witli new'soil, scatterhig- the seed where required and covering with good soil. Iioll Avell after the sowing. Lawns that are f all of aunual weeds may be tpp-dressed with sulphate of amifionia, 2oz to a galloii. Hardy Flowers, The following seeds may be set in boxes for transplanting wlien large enougli to hahdle. Sow in sandy soij and keep well-watered arid sheltered until germinkted : — Salvia, Potunia, African Marigold, Stock, 10-week, Phlox, Portulacca, Zinnia, Kochiaj Celosia, Delphinium, Gaillardia- anrl PanSy. Roses. Plants are now showing plenty of new growth, and a light spring pruning is sometimes advisable. Cut away all dead wood and remove unriecpasary ingrowing growkh. Cllmbers. New shoots of climbers should be tied securely to their tfellis. Cut away some of the old wood as they flower profusely from their new growth.