subject: Good Agriculture And Green World [print this page] There has probably never been another period in the history of horticulture when the demand for the easy-to-care-for garden has been so great. On the West Coast, in particular, want a garden which will give good results with a minimum of time and expense. More and more my own garden is becoming one of easy-to-grow plants. On my hillside are plants from many lands that can take the Coast's cool fog in summer, storms in winter. a soil that is little more than gravel and not much water during periods of drought. And I have year-round bloom!
If you have a lawn you are committed to weekly watering and mowing and to hours of spring weeding. But if you use labor-saving plants (in most West Coast climates, drought-enduring plants) near a lawn they will soon show their dislike of over-watering. Such plants. however. would not resent being placed close to one of the hardier lawn substitutes used on the West Coast. At the edge of such a tough ground cover you could use shrubs, bulbs, perennials and annuals which have similar requirements.
Southern California
Several Southern California nurseries now carry choice polyanthus primroses. Visit them as soon as possible and see these primulas in flower. They can be moved safely while in full bloom. so that you can easily create a ready-made garden picture. Put the plants where they will have a little morning sun and plenty of afternoon shade.
If the soil is sandy, enrich it with old manure; if it is heavy, add leaf mold, peat and sand. Fish meal or cottonseed meal helps to produce fine blossoms. Next year the plants will probably need dividing. This should be done just after they have flowered. This month is the time to take chrysanthemum cuttings. Use the tops of the suckers from last year's plants. There should be three or four nodes on each cutting. Bury each cutting half its length in clean, sharp sand.
