Evening star., 1942-06-28

Ger. PldnUS neeQ CeTldlIl dlllOullI
of space from which their roots may
draw food and moisture. Large
plants need proportionately more
space for their roots than do the
smaller ones. Then, too, space is
needed for the circulation of air.
In dead air spaces disease spores,
especially mildew, thrive and multi
ply. Spacing. then, is an impor-
tant aid in controlling disease. The
third result of adequate spacing IS
that 1t increases the ease OF cultl-
walton, mulching, watering and all
the other jobs that should be done.
So whether your plants grow 3
inches or 6 feet tall make certain
that they are given sufficient space.
Planting in rows, as ordinarily
thought Of, does not seem to flt into
a perennial border. However, II we
have the rows running lengthWlse
of the bed they will not detract
from the appearance but will permit
greater ease in cultivation. Keep
this in mind when planning the re-
ARRANGEMENT of the border.
Summer cultivation is essential
TO the welfare of plant life. And
summer time is ordinarily when
the least care is given to our flower
borders and beds. Soils that bake
and have hard crusts are not con-
ducive to good plant growth. In
most cases the hard crusts EXCLUDE
air. Plant roots need air to thrive.
Also. a hard crust on the soil lndl-
Gates that the soil is lacking IN
humus -decayed vegetable matter.
Hunus stores moisture when the
plant roots can reach it. 1t is diff
cult to incorporate humuS IN the SOIL
when plants are growing, but we can
use a mulch of compost, peatmosS or
other vegetable matter.
Mulches are important in that
thev reduce the evaporation-mols-
ture loss. They keep the soil moist
and cooler. Before applying
mulch the ground should be stirred,
killing all weeds showing. Inc
mulch is then spread over the loose
soil and no further cultivation Is
needed. In the fall the mulch ma
terial NAV be worked into the SOIL,
Improving the texture and lncreas-
ing its water holding capacity.
Where. for some reason, mulchlng
materials are not available the only
alternative is frequent cultivation
The stirring of the soil need not
be deep: in fact. shallow cultlVa-
tion is to be preferred since many
nlants have very shallow root sys-
TENS. Deep cultivation destroys tne
roots and brings moist soil to the
surface where the moisture IS soon
lost The stirring or cultlvatlon
should be thorough so as to proouce
q dust-the most effective lnsuiator.
Summer watering is more or less
of a necessity in this area. during
July and August there are often
neriods of two weeks or more In
which rainfall is insufficient 1or
normal plant growth.
The watering of flower beds Is
something that once started Is not
easily stopped. Where plants are
watered only when necessary ana
then given a thorough soaking
SUFFICIENT water to soak the soil 10
a depth of 10 or y inches they
will do best. Frequent but light
yaterings are usually detrimental IN
that they encourage shallow root
ing. Such waterings cannot be
stopped without injury to the plants
After each watering the soil
should be stirred as soon as the
surface is dry. Working the soil
while wet causes it to puddle pro-
ducing clods.
If a soil is kept cultivated and
vatered properly there should be no
trouble with weeds. However. weeds
do crop up even though cultivation
was apparently thorough. They
should be removed as soon as evil
dent. Removing small weeds is less
work and disturbs the soil much
less than where they attain larger
size. Then, too, weeds take plant
food and moisture away from the
flowers. Very few of our flowers
can successfully compete with
strong growing weeds.
Summer fertilization of flower
borders varies according to the OBJ
jective. If mass of color or garden
effect is desired spring is the time
to apply plant food. For cutting
flowers where long stems and large
size are wanted fertilizers should be
applied once month. In most
cases a garden fertilizer. such as
5-8-5 or 6-6-5, is recommended.
Apply 2 to 3 pounds per 100 square
feet of surface. Fertilizers should
be applied after rain or watering,
cultivated into the soil and watered.
The water is important in that 1t
carries the plant food down to the
roots. Also, it washes off of the
leaves any that may have LOGGED
there during the application.
Stalking and pruning are essential
to the appearance of garden
Bamboo and wire stakes are usually
preferred since they are not con-
SDlCuOuS, UuU ICdNlCl olonNo go
preferable to none at all.
Pruning and disbudding serve two
purposes. First, they help to keep
plants within bounds and to con-
fine the plants strength to fewer
consequently stronger, branches.
Secondly, disbudding produces larg-
er and finer flowers. Few gardeners
seem to realize the Importance of
pruning their flowers to make them
stay put.
AS we take care of these steps in
garden maintenance We may study
our plants with respect to season
of bloom, habit of growth and
height. Then when fall planting
time arrives it will be an easy mat
ter to rearrange our plants. making
their care easier and at the same
time improving the appearance and
interest of our borders.
II.n "11