Evening star., 1941-04-12
The Garden Notebook
Complete as Much Planting as
Possible Before Hot Weather

apt to be short in duration and hot
weather be here all too soon. We
should make every effort to complete
planting as soon as We can.
Chickweed is making strong
growth and unless pulled or killed
will leave a generous supply of seed
to plague us next spring. If pulling
is too much of a chore, try sprin-
king with ammonium sulphate
The powder may be sprinkled on the
foliage while it is wet with dew. Or,
the sulphate may be dissolved in
water Il pound to 3 gallons) and the
solution sprinkled over the foliage.
If the crystals or solution get on
grass or other foliage it may be
washed off, and. even though left
on, will only kill the foliage.
Do not hesitate to use branches
from the spring Towering shrubs
for indoor decoration. They will be
pruned as soon as they are through
Towering so we can very we'll use
the pruning shears now and have
| the flowers indoors.
Now that the crocus are practi-
cally through blooming, it is we'll to
remember that the foliage should
be protected until it has matured.
| The new bulbs, now forming on top
of the old, get their size and vitality
| from the leaves. so for good bloom
next spring protect the foliage until
it turns yellow.
With the daffodils beginning to
bloom, it is well to look them over
carefully and mark those that are
too crowded for good results. Then
when the foliage has matured they
may be dug and reset.
The cleaning or garden pools
should be undertaken as soon as
possible while the lilies are still
dormant. BY removing the accumu-
lation of dirt and trash now it will
be much easier to keep the water
clear Dip the fish out and put
them in a tub of water before
draining. Fill all cracks in the ma
sonry with mortar or cement.
Now that the peony shoots are
making rapid growth it is well to
| fertiliZe if you want top-sized
flowers A medium sized handful of
a fertilizer high in phosphate and
potash is ideal, but any good grade
of commercial fertilizer will produce
results. Work it into the soil about,
but not on, the crown.
"One should never look a gift
morse in the mouth" is an old, old
adage The gardener, however, can
not afford to take chances, and so
should examine gifts of plants and
bulbs to make sure that they are
healthy and free from pests. The
easiest way to control diseases Is
not to buy or accept them. At the
first sign of diseased plant or bulb,
destroy it. Look over your borders
and garden and rogue out dis
eased plants before they infect
others.
1t is a great temptation when SOW
ing seed to plant them too thickly.
We will thin them when they come
up-yes, but how often do we do it?
The seedlings are left to grow as
they terminated and the plants are
slender and spindly Why not SOW
the seed so that when they germi-
nate they will have room to grow?
Save your Easter potted plants for
garden use. The lilies, tulips, aZa-
leas, roses and hyacinths may be
kept growing and as soon as the
weather is warm enough, planted Out
of doors. Plants, such as cineraria
and the tender primroses, should be
discarded as soon as they are
through Towering.
The plants to be saved should be
kept watered and growing until time
to plant them. They will do best
In a cool, sunny room.
Before the grass gets high enough
to cut it is well to get the lawr
mower in condition. Check up on
the height of cut. Many mowers
are not made to cut high enough
Few lawn grasses will retain their
vigor when cut at heights of less
than l inch. An inch and a hall
should be the minimum.
Handspring and