Evening star., 1941-11-15
Leaves From
TheGarden
Notebook
Trees, Shrubs and
Roses Should Be
Planted Now

f4dHJS are SlIll BIO" IflE III lilc
more protected sections OF the city.
A dahlia was exhibited al the Ia
koma chrysanthemum show last
week A few gardeners are still
gathering tomatoes, but for the most
part frosts have killed the ANIMALS
and many Of the perennials are
now dormant. Garden work is very
nearly ended for many Bulbs still
implanted should go into the ground
as soon as possible Flower beds
may well be made ready for winter.
1t is still 100 early to think about
mulching.
The fall planting of roses. shrubs
and trees should be done as soon
as convenient as the plants are in
proper condition. Nurseries to the
north of here have been digging
their stock for several weeks and.
of course, We want to plant freshly
dug stock where possible.
In general very little pruning Is
done in the fall. If there IS TO be
any killing back OF the tips it is
better that it occur on unpruned
wood Tall-eroving hybrld-tea and
hybrid perpetual rose bushes are
often cut back TO , or 3 feet 50
that they viii not be whipped
around in the winds Tree and
shrub pruning Is usually left until
lust before the sap begins 10 rise
in the spring Healing Of wounds
does not begin until active growth
starts.
Various formulas are given for
making a decompoSlng mixture for
compost piles. Most Of Us use a
little of this and a little Of that,
but there is a formula if you want
exact proportions: 45 per cent am
moniUm sulphate, 40 per cent hy-
drafted lime and IS per cent Of
superphoSphate u6 per cent. Mix
thoroughly and sprinkle generously
over each layer of leaves and weeds
as they are put on the pile. Keep
we'll moistened and fork over in
two or three months. This method
speeds up the decomposition and
the compost should be ready TO use
in six months Fresh stable manure
mixed with the leaves is equally
effective in Fastening the rottlng,
Scatter brush through the shrub
border to hold fallen leaves as a
mulch However, it is well not to
/ allow leaves to gather too closely
about the trunks and branches OF
those plants upon which mice like
to gnaw. They seldom bother the
ericaeous kinds-azaleas, rhododen-
drons. laurel, etc, and these are
most benefited by mulchlng.
Fall spading is preferable to
spring in that the action of freezing
and thawing pulverizeS the soil
much better than a rake or hoe.
Then. too, weeds and leaves spaded
under now will be decomposed by
spring thus improving the texture
of the soil. Well-spaded soil Is
usually in condition to work before
we can dig. Stirring the soil at
this season of the year oftentimeS
kills many grubs and other insect
that spend the winter in the soil.
House plants need to have tho
dust removed from their leaves a
frequent intervals during the winter
The dust clogs the breathing pores
of the leaves. A damp rag may be
used, although a spray is better.
Some indoor gardeners place their
plants in the bathtub and then turn
on the shower. Works fine!
! A dormant spray as soon as the
/ leaves have fallen is recommended
as a start in cleaning up diseases
! and scale insects that may be WIN
| tering over on shrubs and trees.
Apply when the temperatures are
above freezing and there is little
danger of freezing for at least "a
hours.
/ A bushel or two of good soil stored
away in the garage or basement
should come in handy next spring
for those gardeners who like to start
a few boxes of seeds indoors. 1t Is
convenient to have if potted plant
must be reset for any reason.
To keep the ground from heaving,
mulch after the surface soil Is
frozen. To keep the soil warm and
to prevent loss of moisture mulch
as soon as leaves are available.
Remove rust and dirt with kero-
sene in cleaning garden tools before
they are put away for the winter.
Then rub with crankcase oil and
they will be bright and clean when
needed next spring. 1t is we'll to get
them repaired and sharpened dur
| jpu 1aic,,ra baIirc fhic winter