Evening star., 1953-12-13

where standing water might
smother grass and cause dor
mant roots to rot. A shovelful OF
soil here or a layer there will do
much to get rid Of the irregu-
larities and provide a safer rest
ing place for plants and bulbs.
Those leaves that were hiding
in the fence corners might well
be moved to a more useful spot
beneath the evergreens. Place
some pieces Of brush to hold
them in place or, after spread
ing, scatter a shovelful or two Of
soil. This mulch is particularly
important to the hollies and
other broad-leaved evergreens.
Don't Cover the Ponsies!
The perennial border is nor
mally given q shearing at this
season which tends to remove
much Of the protective material.
II that has already been taken
care Of in the interest Of neat
ness, scatter a few loads Of COM
post, sawdust, damp peatmoss or
ground corncobs over the soil to
prevent erosion. smother un-
wanted winter weeds, and to keep
the soil from freezing and thaw-
ing which tends to break plant
roots.
If this chore can be taken care
Of after the ground is frozen, 80
much the better.
Be careful Of the winter foliage
Of Madonna lilies. poppies, the
hardy ANIMALS and the pansies.
Their foliage should not be COW
cred or they will die. Tuck the
mulch material under their
leaves.
Preliminary Rose Printing
Since we do not know what
kind Of winter weather to expect
it might be well to cut the rose
bushes back to 8 or 4 feet in
height, especially if they are ex-
posed to winter winds. The real
pruning will be left until spring
this cutting back is to reduce
the buffeting by winter winds.
While we are in the rose garden
we might put a shovelful or two
of dirt around each crown as an
additional protection from win
ter winds. And. if available. lay
a few evergreen boughs in the
bed after the first freeze; the
boughs will help to keep the soil
frozen. reduce the danger of
wind buffeting the plants about,
and if the bushes are covered,
will reduce the likelihood of win
ter sun starting the bushes into
unreasonable growth some warm
day next spring.
Pruning is seldom recon-
mended at this season of the
year. but it doesn't hurt a bit to
take out dead wood-a branch
that is rubbing against the house
or its neighbors. There is never
a better time to do the job than
when you see it!
Take in Soil for Seed Flats
Before the tools are put away
dig a bushel or two of soil to fill
seed fats. It may be cold and
the ground frozen if you wait
until it is needed.
Empty the odds and ends of
fertilizer on the compost pile.
It will greatly speed decomposi-
ton as well as provide a richer
material for use next spring.
If the chickweed is showing
in border and lawn, an additional
application of fertilizer will burn
it out. Spread when the foliage
is slightly damp.
Oil and Store Tools
With the garden work done, all
that is left to do is to bring in
the tools. oil and put them away
for the season. Drain the hose
and lay it in a cool dark place.
Take the spark plugs out of the
engines Of power mower and
garden tractor and squirt oil into
the cylinders. This will keep the
rings from sticking as well as
prevent rust. The plugs may be
loosely replaced to prevent their
getting lost.
That's the tour, everything
seems to be shipshape, we're
ready for the chair and the fire.
with nothing to worry about un-
til the new catalogs come along.
Then we will need another tour
to find out where we can plant
those allurinplv described rev