RE-PLANTING OR RENOVATING 

 BORDERS 



WHERE it is at all possible the whole of a herbaceous or 

 mixed border should be deeply dug or trenched once in 

 three years. This is best done during November. All the 

 plants, with the exception of such kinds as Oriental Poppies, 

 Delphiniums, Paeonies, and Irises, should be lifted and laid 

 on one side whilst the work is being done. Put plenty of 

 well-rolled manure in the lower spit when trenching. In 

 replanting divide all large clumps and select the strong, 

 outside portions of such plants as Phloxes, Michaelmas 

 Daisies, and perennial Sunflowers, as these will give much 

 better results than large clumps. 



There are times when it is not convenient to replant 

 herbaceous borders, and when this is so, renovation should 

 take place and stimulating food be provided for the occu- 

 pants. Such free-growing subjects as Michaelmas Daisies, 

 Polygonums, Bocconias, Helianthus, Chrysanthemum maxi- 

 mum and herbaceous Phloxes are soil-exhausting, and 

 quickly become weak if not fed. When a border is replanted, 

 the weakening of the centre of each clump is avoided ; but 

 where replanting the whole is not convenient, then renova- 

 tion must be resorted to. To do justice to the plants, so 

 that the border, as a whole, does not suffer, some of the 

 weaker plants should be replanted. Choose a few vigorous 

 root growths from the outer portions of each. Before re- 

 planting, remove the soil i foot deep and as wide, assuming, 

 of course, that the same subject is to occupy the same site ; 

 but if not, there will be no occasion to remove the soil. 

 Replace the old soil with fresh. If not convenient to bring 

 in quite new soil to the border, take some from the surface 

 close by, replacing it with that removed from the site, adding 

 a fourth part of manure in a decayed state. The whole of 

 the border should be forked over between the clumps quite 

 lightly, of course, near the plants, so as to avoid disturbing 

 the roots too much. Where space exists between the plants, 



