FOR THE WOMAN GARDENER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 September 1940, Page 9

FOR THE WOMAN GARDENER

SOME USEFUL HINTS. There are many flowers that might be termed “hot weather” favourites, for they seem to give their best in hot, dry periods. Chief of these is the petunia, which will provide a brilliant feast of colour in trying weather. The seed is very fine, and should be mixed w’ith a little sand before sowing, then scattered over the moist soil in the seed-boxes, pressed firmly into the surface, and lightly covered. Petunias will thrive for many months in rich, free soil, if watered judiciously so that their growth is kept at a steady pace. Sow aster seed now in boxes that have good drainage and protection. Prepare the beds for the seedlings, (which will be ready for transplanting in October or November) by digging thp ground and working the surface JI well, so that it is free and fertile. Ysters are shallow rooters, and require mulching during hot weather. If your have never grown the tree variety of French marigolds, try a packet of seed now. They grow very easily in good soil, and, as the trees attain a height of about five feet, they are extremely useful for hiding bare, unsightly fences. They bloom profusely—a single plant will produce hundreds of flowers. These are a lovely gold and brown colour, and are valuable for home decoration. When propagating lavender select suckers from the base of the plant with a heel of the old wood attached. These will root readily in sandy soil. Gardeners who grow flowers for sale should stick to a few choice varieties and grow them in abundance, rather than an assortment which has only a few of each kind. Sweet-peas, for instance, find a readier market if done up in bunches of self colours, rather than mixed lots.