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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1976-05-05, Page 2030 mil liner allows bowled hopper for larger diving and swimming area; also easier cleaning and vacuuming 14 gauge 2 oz. gal. steel walls Main drain to draw-water from bottom of 1700i thrwskimmer to filter to allow a more uniform intake for cleaning and heating purposes. To filter from main drain and Skimmer All our pools ,are built with 3" thick concrete bottom.and 4' wide concrete deck. ,Styrafearn in- stallation for sidewalls is available.' 3 reinforcing braces per panel 'A' frames Water returns from filter to pool POOL KIT 14' x 28' For the do,it-yeurselfer INCLUDES:, LINER-SIDE PANELS-RETURN FITTINGS-MAIN DRAIN RELIEF VALVE.. STAINLESi STEEL LADDER & ANCHORS-FILTERS & CLEANING EQUIPMENT PLUS TAX OUR MOST POPULAR MODEL 1 6' x 32' POOL INSTALLED & TAX INCLUDED $5295 FOR FREE ESTIMAtEs AND ILLUSTRATED 8i0cHuRE PHONE OR WRITE KEN SMITH POOLS 28 MILL EGMONIDVILLE PHONE SEAFORTII 5 27.0469 Building a lawn ? Do it right (By C,G.Waywell Department ofHorticultural Science In developing and maintaining a weed-free lawn, the key to success is the vigorous growth, of a dense healthy turf. Once this is attained the desirable grass cover will compete, successfully for water, sunlight and nutrients with the weed seedlings so that weeds cannot get established. The factors which should be considered are: the kind of weeds found on the area, drainage, soil type, the supply of nutrients in the soil, the amount of sunlight, and the way the lawn area is to be used. Gpod gardening books and government publications are available which contain information on these subjects. These should be studied carefully before a new lawn is established or an old one improved. On a new or neglected site there may be a number of perennial , weeds which are difficult or impossible to control after sowing grass seed or laying sod. The Herbidice 2, 4-D can be used to control many of the broadleaf weeds but mixtures which contain 2, 4-D plus mecoprop or dicamba, et both, are necessary for some hard-to- kill species. weeds belonging to , the grass family. Many of these can be killed by applying paraquat (trade name - GRAMOXONE) at the rate of four ounces of produce in two gallons water per 1,000 square feet. Under provincial law this herbicide is available only to farmers, nurserymen and custom sprayers. The home gardener can, however, buy a mixture of paraquat and diquat which is distributed under trade names like WEEDRITE or WEED-BAN. These herbicides are successful in controlling both types of weeds When the weeds are growing 'rapidly. They are absorbed through the leaves and have little or no effect through the soil. The gardener should not be in • too much of a hurry to sow grass seed or lay sod. If herbicides have been used, cultivation should be delayed until the weeds begin to die. Grading, to both level and provide surface drainage, is the next step. If there is much fill on the site, the soil should be allowed to settle and then graded again. This ensures that, once the lawn has been established, water drains away from building foundation walls and that there are no areas where water collects after a rain. If soil testing facilities are available, a few samples should be checked to determine the soil acidity (which should be close to pH of 6.5) and whether fertilizers should be added, At\ this stage the most important thing is to ensure that there is enough phosphorus present and that it is distributed throughout the soil layer in which the grass roots will grow. Phosphorus, found in the soil, does not move down through the soil. It should be added as 'necessary and rototillecl in to a fair depth. This is an important step as phosphorus is necessary for root development. Nitrogen and potassium are also needed and some can be applied at the sane time. However, they are more soluble and later applications do stove doWfi through the soil profile. The selection of the kind of grass which will be adapted to the location is the nett step, Here the 20--,THE BRUSSELS POST; gardener should decide how the area is to be used. Fkor a fine "putting green" appearance, the bent grasses should be considered. These do require frequent mowing and much more care than other types. If there is a fair amount of sunlight, Kentucky Blue and selections of this species may be a better choice. In an area that is in shade for a large part of the day, Creeping Red Fescue and other fescues will be more successful. The fescues, generally speaking, are better than the blue grasses where there is heavy traffic. Site preparation is just as important if the area is to be "sodded". Grades and drainage cannot be changed after the sod is laid. A good depth of well- prepared soil with an adequate supply of nutrients and soil moisture is necessary to encourage root growth. Sod strips should be laid- soon after delivery and watered immediately to prevent drying out. Many new lawn areas will be covered with• common annual broadleaf weeds like red root pigweed and lamb's-quar ters soon after the grass seed germinates and the grass starts to grow. A sim ple way to solve this problem is to se, t the mower to cut at about two inches and mow the affected area. If timed properly this will cut off the growing point of the weeds which will then die. The affect on the grass is to remove the competition of the weeds and to induce tiliering or branching near the 'soil surface so- that the grass stand appears "thicker" and covers the ground sooner. The herbicide 2, 4-D can also be used to kill these annual seedling weeds but the rate should be reduced to no more than half the rate recommended to kill dandelions and spraying should be delayed until tour weeks after emergence of the grass, Cutting height is also important. A reasonable amount of leaf surface is necessary to ensure that the simple sugars produced in the presence of sunlight are produced in quantities • to provide for the needs of the plants. If too much top growth is • removed, the root system will be retarded and will be too , shallow. Grass with shallow root systems 'will turn brown during dry spells in July and August. Crabgrass usually invades lawns of this kind while it is rarely found in lawns where the mower is set to cut at one and one-half to two inches. Watch out for pavement bumps Drastic weather changes at this time of year cause pavement to heave and break, particularly in northern areas. This creates an added problem for the tnetorist, states the Ontario Safety League. The highway department erects `bump' signs, but freqtiently you find the humps before either the signs go up or work crews can repair the road damage. When you see thesigns; slow down and keep both hands on the wheel. Your safety belt will help keep you behind the Wheel in the driver's Seat -- Should you be the first 'to discover' a neW hump. MAY 5, 1975