Garden Flowers and Shrubs in Early March

Garden flower seed sowing can begin if the weathermajority agree that mid-February in the south to
is friendly and a general fertilizer at around 2 ozs. tomid-April in the north is the best time - when the sap
the sq. yd. should be worked into the bed for annualsbegins to rise. But there are many who prune in
and half-hardies.December or January and are confident that this
Gardeners in the south, who have hardened off theirleads to earlier and larger blooms. Much will depend on
sweet pea seedlings, can now plant them out duringclimate and weather.
a mild spell. Those in the north must be more patient.The aim of the operation should be to keep the bush
The drills should be watered the day previously andopen to light and air, dismissing dead or crossing
the roots carefully disentangled before planting.branches and weak wood.
Care should be taken that the brown mark or collarModerate pruning is advised, tackling the strongest
above the seed stem is left visible and not buried.varieties first. The floribunda is probably the most
Finally, a few bushy twigs should be placed arounddifficult bush to prune satisfactorily; light pruning of
each plant.young wood and moderate pruning of older wood
Sweet pea seed can now be sown 1-l&1/2 ins.should result in the bush flowering con­tinuously
deep outdoors. Beware of mice!throughout the summer.
Insofar as your shrubs are concerned, think aboutThere are no absolute rules and the weak plant is
the following tasks.often a problem child: in this event commonsense
Many herbaceous plants should be restricted at anmust play its part.
early stage to 6-8 shoots a plant.Many shrubs can be pruned now to within 1-2 ins. of
When should roses be pruned? This is the mostlast year's growth; the resulting growth will bear next
controversial subject among rosarians, but theyear's flowers.