Evening star., 1939-08-12
Leaves From
TheGarden
Extend Life of Cut
Asters by Adding
Sugar to Water

One way of prolonging the life of
asters as cut flowers is to put a
teaspoonful of sugar in the vase to
each quart of water. Before putting
the asters in the vase strip off the
lower leaves, as they foul the water
Oriental poppies may be multi
piled by digging in August, as every
fragment of root left will develop
into new plant. Another way to
increase the number of plants is to
dig and remove a few of the older
roots. Cut them into sections about
2 inches long (being very careful to
remember which end is the top) and
plant them right side up and 2
inches deep in propagating bed,
where they will develop into husky
new plants.
Now that planting time is
here let us not forget that Wash
ington lawn seed mixture should
contain about rs per cent Kentucky
bluegrass. The other Is per cent
may we'll be redtop, perennial rye
grass and Dutch white clover. These
are rapid growing and will shade the
tiny seedlings of the slower germi-
mating bluegrass. For very shady
lawns the Department of Agriculture
recommends Poa rivialis-rough-
stalked bluegrass.
Seed new lawns at the rate Of
4 to 7 pounds of seed mixture per
1000 square feet. This is wide
range. The actual rate should de-
pend upon the size and use made of
the area to be seeded. If a thick
turf is needed in a comparatively
short time the rate of seeding will
of necessity be higher than where
Nature can take her course and a
thick turf result from growth (stool-
ing) of the grass plants.
1t is too late to fertilize roses
Applications made after the 1st of
August are apt to result in soft,
sappy growth that winter kills.
Some gardeners, however, do not
hesitate to apply fertilizer mate
rials, such as wood ashes, muriate
of potash and phosphate-all of
which help to harden the wood but
do not encourage new growth. Ma
nures and nitrogenous fertilizers are
not safe, since they stimulate
growth.
1t is not too late to sow the seeds
of perennials and biennials for next
springs bloom. Protect the seed bed
from wind, sun and rain with burlap
or other screening material. The
wind and sun tend to dry out the
soil too rapidly, while beating rains
form a crust through which many
tiny seedlings cannot push their
way.
Once again it is urged that you
stake tall-growing dahlias, asters
lilies and chrysanthemums before
they are laid fla by a heavy rain
storm. Past experiences are such as
to justify this warning in spite Of
repetition.
Before applying any kind of q
mulch to the garden it is well tc
thoroughly soak the bed and ther
give it a light cultivation. 1t re.
quires more water and effort to ade-
quately moisten the soil to q good
depth after the mulch has been ap-
piled.
Do you have enough plants with
white flowers or with soft gray
foliage to give your garden COO
appearance these hot August days!
White phlox, shasta daisies, the ar.
temisias, stocks and sweet lavender
are only a few suggestions.
If you have not already placed
your order for bulbs and for root.
Of peonies, poppies and day lilies il
is well to do so. We are not lob.
bying for the nurserymen, but
preaching good garden practice
Order early and get desirable varie.
ties, then plant them carefully, O.
course. Late ordering too often re-
suits in receiving the remnants o.
In having your order only PARTIAL!
filled because some varieties wer'
sold out.