GARDENS IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 113, 26 March 1954, Page 7

GARDENS IN TAUPO

LOOKING AHEAD (By "Flora") As usual in the gardening world we must be looking not just toward next week, but at least six months ahead, and especially so at this time of the year. Since the rain, there is no doubt that autumn has crept closer. Soon the smell of bonfires, though not till May in Taupo, will permeate the evening air, Before this happens we must have planted all our spring flowering bulbs so that they may make at least some root growth before shortening days and frosty nights take all heat from the soil. Daffodils Daffodils especially seem to enjoy growing in Taupo." I think perhaps the good drainage our soil gives plays an important part, for this is something above all eise that they seem to require. / Whether you grow just the every day whites and Soliel D'ors, or go in for some of the lovely named varieties, daffodils give their finest effect when planted either in clumps in the border, or in beds by themselves. Avoid the mistake of planting an isolated bulb here and there. Planting in their own special bed is better if you cherish your bulbs, for, no matter how carefully one forks the mixed border, invariably the tip of the fork runs into one. No doubt it would still flower, but there is the risk of disease entering the damaged bulb. The beginner in gardening will be confronted with two problems. What to buy and how to plant. The first question is the most difhcult as there are so many daffodils on the market, as a glance through any bulb catalogue will .show. Unless you have reached the status of an experienced grower you will naturally be buying the lower priced bulb, but because they cost less does not mean they are inferior, only that that particular variety has been on the market longer than the costly ones and the nurseryman consequently has had time to build up his stock. I will not give a list, for all are lovely and your buying will depend on how well-filled is your purse. And most will have to hold in check the natural desire to own the latest triumph of the hybridisers art. Hints on Bulb Planting The best time to plant is during February and March when the ground is fairly dry. There is little to be gained by putting them in when the soil is hot and dusty, but now that we have had rain do not hesitate a mome'nt longer, Do not use fresh animal manure immediately before planting. This will cause bulbs to rot and fallprey to disease, but by all means add compost to the first foot or so of soil. Open up your trench for planting and apply a liberal amount of bonedust, the safest of all fertilisers for bulb culture. A good sprinkling of basic slag later in the season is also beneficial. The proper depth to plant bulbs is to cover them with twice their own depth of soil. Thus daffodils should be planted about five inches deep. As soon as the spikes show through the ground keep the soil hoed and broken up, taking care that the bulb is not damaged during the operation.