Relax and Enjoy the Garden

Most of the really pressing chores should be done bycloth; they will look healthy but be smaller if they are
now in the northern garden, so you can take time outkept on the verge of starvation.
to enjoy your garden. I realize that this is a difficult thingOther planting to do in June: Gladiolus, dahlias and
to do, for every year I say to myself, "Slow down,bedding plants such as begonia, pelargonium (geranium)
take it easy; don't be a slave to the garden andand lantana can be planted now. In the vegetable
landscape." But every year it's the same old story: Ingarden celery can be planted and, if the garden is a
common with about fifty million other gardeners, Ismall one, follow-up crops can be planted in the
always bite off more than I can chew. I have only aspaces vacated by early maturing crops such as
little time to really look at and enjoy the late springspinach, lettuce and radish. Incidentally, one of the best
beauty of Oriental poppies, delphinium, lilium and theof all crops to replace spinach is bush limas or bush
rest of the June flowering perennials.snap beans.
Planting water-lilies: It is not too late to plant hardyRemoving seed pods: One of the pleasant chores,
water lilies, and in most places it is not too early to setwhich can be done at odd times or when you want a
out the tropical kinds. Usually by June 15, in the vicinitychange from hard work, is the removing of immature
of New York City, the weather is settled and warm.seed pods from mountain-laurel, rhododendron and lilac.
The treatment of water-lilies depends on the size ofThis task has a double purpose: that of neatening the
the pool: if it is a small one, say about 7 x 10 feet, andplants and also conserving their energy for future
you want to grow several kinds of water-lilies in it,growth.
avoid using rich soil and large containers. If you provideThinning fruit trees: After the June drop of fruits of
these favorable conditions, the water lilies will grow soapple, plum and peach - the trees may still bear more
big that you won't be able to see the water for thefruit than they can carry to maturity; the excess should
water-lilies.be removed. Leave apples and peaches spaced 6 to
In a small pool landscape, if the water-lilies are grown in8 inches apart, plums spaced 3 to 4 inches apart.
ordinary garden soil and placed in containers 6 x 14Other chores to be done in the landscape: Spray the
inches, there will be room for two tropical varieties orroses. Sow seeds of biennials. Shear the deciduous
three or four hardy kinds. Waterlilies have thehedges.
admirable faculty of cutting their coat according to the