GARDEN NOTES.
Routine 'Work in the Garden. The recent showers have been more than Avelcomo in the "Garden" and there is much to be done, and gardeners should take every advantage of the loosened soil. An opportunity missed is seldom regained. Trenches for sAvcet-pcas should be prepared as quickly us possible, for early-blooms. > These are best sown at the latter end of February or at the latest early in March, when preparing the trench. Bear in mind j that the SAvcet pea is very partial to aa'cll rotted manure, and nothing of a fresh nature should be put into the, prepared soil. Bods for narcissi should also be im-' miately got on Avith, as these should also be planted as uarly as possible. All seedlings of, such us wallflOAvers, iceland poppies, pansies, stocks etc., which are large enough to handle should be transplanted to their permanent quarters Avhilo the soil is in a more favourable condition. Order seeds of any hardy annuals that may be required for early spring blooming, as autumn soavu annuals are ahvays superior: to those Avhich are sown in spring. Soav such things as memesia, godetia, clarkia, tinaria, annual poppies, and larkspurs. These can all be soAvn next month. Also many of the hardy perennials could with -advantage be sOAvn at the prossent time. . Prune most of the old groAvths off rambler roses, also those rose bushes AA-hich have finished blooming may be cut back about half way, this will help to encourage a second crop of flowers before the frost comes. • • Layer carnations and strike cuttings of carnations and pinks, also gcranuiums, and . pelargoniums. All ground required for bulbous subjects should bo got in order as they will all benefit from early planting. . Where it is desired to lift anemones this work should be got on with speedily, as the recent showers Avill quickly start them into growth. Too many of these cannot be grown, their matchless variety of colouring, ease of culture, their wonderfully free flowering habits, together with the lasting guality of the blooms entitle them to a place in every garden and they cannot be too highly recommended. Given good drainage, shade from the sun for part of the day, and as rich a soil, as circumstances will aIIOAV, the reward will be good blooms, }vitli a, good length of stem. ■They areVtq be procured in endless colourings, pmny of. them beauti- ' fully striped and blotched. The ranunculus require much the same treatment and their bright colourings, comblrjed with; a. A|ealth of bloom ' render .IthcvV niost! attractive subjects. .. ' .;•.-: „':
: ; v.Tritonia's ■ ..For those /requiring -a- border of. bulbous subjects,, should plant the beautiful little tritohias. These are to be had in a loA r cly flame shade; and in varying shades of salmon, they resemble freezias in shape, bloom freely, and multiply rapidly. The Vegetable Garden. After the strenuous work of spring and the tiring hot summer months, many OAvners of small plots are given to resting from their labours. But this state of things . should not exist as thcro is much necessary Avork to
be taken in hand during the early autumn mouths. The aim of every gardener should be,."'.'.• to ... provide a supply of vegetables all . the 'year round, and in our climate,- this is not such a formidable task. Many small plots are empty at the present time, which could bo utilized for many purposes. Silver beet forms one of our most valuable winter vegetables, and may be sown now, also the valued spinach. Also a plot of autumn sown onions, such as ailsa craig, giant rocca, or the white and red tripoli, endive and lettuce for salads. Sowings of turnips, shorthorn carrots, parsley, and the early round or . turnip rooted parsnips, which are not generally known, but are very suitable for shallow .soils, and autumn sowing. All plots which are not needed until the spring months would benefit largely if sown with oats, lupin, or anything of a green nature for
digging in through the winter months. A final sowing of french beans, and dwarf peas could be made where space is available. The Blue Flax (Lirium Perenne) To those who have a liking for blue flowers, the writer would suggest a sowing of linum perenne. It is a plant that may be easily raised from seed during the autumn. There are some things which must be massed, in order to be seen to perfection and the blue flax is one of them. The flowers are like a little bit of heavenly blue and when seen in full bloom edging a long border, the sight is irresistibly attractive. The -plant is not at all particular as to soil, but, like most blue flowers, it likes lime in some form or another. Borders deficient of this substance . should be dressed with lime if the best results are looked for. Those who prefer to buy plants may be able to obtain them from, a nurseryman, although they are not too well known. In. transplanting the delicato feathery green foliage may wilt :a little .at first,"but with watering soon holds it- < self erect again. Care should be , taken that.the tap ro'ot is allowed to gro down-wards' In a straight ' line when transplanting. The plants , seed prolifically and will self sow f
unless the hea\-y weight of seed pods is cut away. If the roAv'cf plants is sheared doAvu to Avithin about six inches of the ground Avhen it has nearly completed floAvering it will throw another' crop in some six weeks time, new groAvths containing the noAver.s pushing up from below the cuts. Although this display is not quite equal to the summer one, it is very nearly so, and well worth having. Taking,this dual crop naturally exhausts the plants and will cause thorn to deteriorate unless fed-with a good top dressing of manure when the second crop of seed-pods is cut doAvn. This will carry them safely through the Avinter months. Properly looked after, the plants increase year by year until they require a foot square of space. For a permanent edging the plants should be put out at a distance of from nine inches to one foot. It is also advisable to put the plants about a foot away from the edge of the path, as they haA r e a tendency to hang over Avhen becoming heavy Avith seed. v. A good effect is obtained by planting aubrietia in front of them, Avhich flOAvers at the same time and acts as a foil to the intense sky blue of the linum. ' Apple Trees for Pictorial Effect Frequently one hears the com-
plaint that it is impossible in gardens to combine beauty and.'utility* and in consequence there is a great waste of good space. This is shown very largely in many modern gardens where fruit trees are relegated to the orchard or the - kitchen garden. Happily this defect is not present in many of our.best gardens, in a number of which there are borders of ; hardy flowers screening vegetables from the path, and having behind them some of our best apple and other fruit trees. In some good gardens there are at intervals apples trained over iron or wood pergolas, with snowdrops, daffodils, and other flowers beneath. - So the trees behind the hardy plant borders when in bloom give most delightful additions to the beouties of the hardy flowers in front. There is, indeed, nothing more beautiful than a fruit tree in full bloom, as it harmonises with the early flowers of the border.
In some of the old gardens the aid of the fruit tree in the garden scheme of decoration was perhaps better understood than now. . Their makers had not the wealth of spring flowers which are now at command, and, possibly as much for their beauty as for their utility, they planted apple trees largely in the borders. In many old gardens these trees must have been a great feature in by gone years, and they still reveal in some degree the charms of the combination of apple blossom allied tc the narcissi, anemones, primrose, and other flowers of the season. In addition to the charm of the blooms on the fruit trees, there is, moreover, the benefit of the fruit. In its various stages the fruit is always interesting, arid when the apples begin to ripen there is a subtle harmony between these. and sunflowers, michaelmas, daisies and dahlias and other autumn flowers. It takes nothing from the attractions of the flower garden to have within its bounds fruit trees whoso bqauty does not only consist in the blossoms of spring', but also in the ruddy or golden fruits of the. autumn time. If we can admit the: Japanese cherries or the crab apple trees into the flower garden or the shrubbery surely we can find room Cor our good apples and other fruits,
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Shannon News, 1 March 1927, Page 2
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1,477GARDEN NOTES. Shannon News, 1 March 1927, Page 2
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