Evening star., 1955-11-06
THIS WEEK
IN THE GARDEN

washington gardeners have
enjoyed one Of the most attrac-I
tive falls In many years. The
freedom from frost permitted
the trees and shrubs to attain
their brightest hues. The
chrysanthemum fans enjoyed a|
nne Towering season unmarred
By freesing temperatures.
Many Chores Remain
Last week was almost tool
warm for comfort. but the chilli
ing winds Of Sunday evening"
turned attention to the need oil
completing many garden chores
and preparing for those which
normally take place after trees
and shrubs are dormant. There
are many things still to be done
In getting the garden and lawn
ready for winter. Not only must
the leaves be raked but low spots
should be filled to prevent water
standing In the lawn and espe-
cially on the flower and bulb
beds.
Bulbs Can EtiIl Go In
It Is not too late to plant bulbs
Actually. now u Q good time toI
start with the tulip planting. |
but not to be inclusive. we might
defer the planting Of the bulhousI
iris until after Thanksgiving.
Both the tulips and the irisl
once planted make rapid grOwth
until the soil Il chilled BY vim
ter winds. No doubt those bulbs
missed In digging last spring
already have their tops above
the ground. It will not prevent
their Towering but the foliage
viii be marred BY winter winds.
! Brush win Hold Mulch
We can use 4 part Of the fallen
leaves to mulch the azalea,
carnellia and rhododendron beds
las wen as the hollies. Scatter
pieces Of brush first TO hold the
leaves and to prevent their pack
ing. The layer Of leaves can bel
Is deep as you wish although It'll
should not Cover the foliage.
These shrubs need this winter
protection since It keeps the soill
from freezing late into the winter
thereby permitting the roots toI
function. supplying moisture tol
the leaves.
Rye Grass Improves Lawn
Sow common ryegrass wherever
there is need for turf or soil inn
provement. The grass may be
cut the same as any other grass.
II the soil is to be improved I'll
may be allowed TO grow and ac-
cumulate Q goodly quantity Of
foliage to be spaded under In
the spring.
Gloves Used 10 Apply Spray |
wild onion, or garlic as some |
call It. Is showing up in many
lawns. II may be killed by spray
ing with 2.4-D. but care must be |
used to prevent the fumes ori
spray drift Of this weedkiIlert
from reaching flowers or shrubs
nearby. Where the proximity Of
other plants Texcept grass does
not permit using this killer IN d
spray. 1t can be applied with thel
gl0ved hand. This Is easily ac-
complisied by slipping i cotton
gloves on over b rubber gloves. /
FOR most effective kill. use three
parts 2.4-D and one part fuel
oil. The oil helps the 2.4-D toI
penerate the Way covering Of
the onion.
Remove Dahlia Tops
Al soon Is frost strikes the
dahlias the tops should be re-
moved. Digging can be deferred
for several days, or even weeks, /
II necessary. because the soil Is |
not likely to freeze deeply
enough In that time to iniurel
the tuberS. After digging thel
clumps Of tubers should be all
lowed to dry Tin q frost free
situation1 considerably before
stcring for the winter. |
Avoid Gladiolus Rot
II the glads have not already
been dug they should be, becausel
of the danger Of rot In cold wet
soil. Remove the tops immedi- |
Rtely after digging 10 prevent the
thrips from crawling down into
the husks that surround the |
c0rxns. Dry for several weeks inl
. frOst-free place before clean
Ing and treating. prior 70 winter
storage.
Trees, Shrubs. Roses
Don't bs IN too big ! hurry toI
move or plant deciduous trees.
shrubs and roses. The normal
planting time for them is around
the middle Of November. Even
then 1t III best not be expect such
plant shipments from Southern
nurseries. Digging operations
are only now getting under way
in the Northern nurseries. We
win have plenty Of time TO plant
later on.
my Moderate sizss
N ordsrins shrubs for the
new home, e the one ef ysstsr-
ysar, DO not try 70 buy the big
gest sinss available. Transplant
ing n D shock y D plant at best.