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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1978-04-26, Page 29ANSWERS to carpet cleaning questions like these... DON'T COST. A CENT n How much can I save if I do it myself? • Will RINSENVAC clean my carpets as well as the professionals do? M How long does it take to clean a 9 x 12 room? What about stains? • Can a woman use the RINSENVAC Carpet Cleaning System?' • How can I get rid of pet odors? M Will RINSENVAC clean shag carpeting? Take advantage of this FREE service! We'll be glad to help . . . and answer any other questions you might have. CROWN HARDWARE 527-1420 Sea forth 11 1 77 L ig g s it Gr o tt o H o n ,. Ca m P r o du c ts . Lt d, Hedges are living fences 13 By Russ gomme Evergreens and shrubs can be used, in a variety of ways 'as hedges throughout gardens. Oft- en termed "living fences -, hed- ges are, ideal to screen undesir- able views; to divide areas of a garden; to create private areas; as backgr9unds to flower borders; to define property boundaries and to provide windbreaks. When planing hedges, be sure to select the best plant for the existing conditions. Some hedge plants thrive in sunlight while others prefer partial shade. There are a few which are "at home" in damp conditions while others grow better in hot, sunny areas. Plants such as Caragana seem to, grow better in, northern parts of the province. Some shrubs adapt well as prunded hedges for example, privet, while some appear more attractive in their graceful, natur- al profile for example, Vanhoutti Spirea.Evergreens make splendid hedges as they retain their vivid green appearance all year. HoW- ever, evergreens need time to • grow and the initial cost should be considered. Ontario's climate permits the use of a wide range of plants as hedges. Select the type best suited for your location and pocketbook. Unfortunately, Bar- berry hedges are no longer, available as they are a host to serious rust disease in grains. When to Purchase Early spring and mid-autumn are .the best times to purchase and plant hedges. Determine the number of plants required by measuring the total length to be hedged. The higher the hedge is to be grown. • the farther apart each plant should be spaced. Usually, nurseries, garden ce- ntres and outlets have quantity prices for hedge plants. The more plants purchased, the lower the price. Smaller sized plants are a good buy, as they are usually less expensive and establ- ish themselves more easily in new surroundings. Hedges to be maintained in the one to two foot range can be planted as• close as 10 inches apart while hedges in the two to four foot range should be planted 15 to 18 inches apart. Taller hedges should be spaced two to fOur feet apart depending upon the ultimate height. How to Plant Drive a stake in at each end of the area to be hedged. Tie a cord to each end making sure it is taut. Use a sharp space to edge one side of the trench. Place the first spadeful of soil on one side of the trench and the second spadeful, which is likely subsoil, on the opposite side. The trench should be at least 18 inches deep. Dig it deeper if the soil is not well drained and fill in to an 18 inch depth with stones. Cut a wood stake the same length that yin wish to space the hedge plants and use it to help achieve uniform spacing. Each plant should be planted about two inches deeper than it was growing in the nursey. This will allow for soil settling and also encourage more new growth at the base. Add top soil around the roots and a mixture of subsoil mixed with Caragana (arborescens), 6 ft., like peatmoss nearer the surface. heavier soil; Hardiness, North Firm the soil around each plant and South.Hawthorne, 6-7 ft.; With you heel. Hardiness, North and South, Using the same cord and Laurel Willow, 6-7 ft., good for stakes, establish a line to prune about one-third of the top growth. away. After pruning, thoroughly soak the plants with water/ For spring planting, fertilize the plants with a balanced fertilizer such as 7-7-7 at the rate of one pound fertilizer for each 15 foot, of hedge. * N-denotes Northern Ontario S-denotes SOuthern Ontario Alpine Currant, 1-3 ft., Tole- rates some shade, well drained clay soil; hardiness North and South. Euonymous Vegetus, 1-2 ft., thick growing: Hardiness South. Boxwood (evergreen), 1-2 ft., thick growing; Hardiness South. Privet (lodense), 1-2 ft., thick growing; Hardiness, South. Caragana Pygmy, 1-3 ft., soft textured; hardiness, North and South. • Cotoneaster Acutifolia, 2-4 ft.; Hardiness, North and South. Privet (common. 3-4 ft., darker green foliage; Hardiness, South. Privet (ibolium), darker green foliage; Hardiness, South. Vanhoutti Spirea, 4-6 ft., grown informally and allowed to flower; Hardiness, South. Japanese Yew (evergreen, 3-5 ft., excellent in well drained soil; Hardiness, North and South. White Cedar, 3-6 ft., sandy loam is 'best;Hard- iness North and South. Hemlo-ck, 4-6 ft., partial shade; Hardiness, North and South. Amur Maple (Ginnala), 4-6 ft., good drainage; Hardiness, North and South. moist soil; Hardiness, North and South. Norway Spruce, 5-6 ft., Wed drainage; Hardiness, North and South. Honeysuckle, 4-6 ft.; Hardiness, North and South.. Early care Makes healthy roses Early pruning and fertilizing are important if you want at- tractive and healthy roses, says Theo Blom, Ontario. Ministry of Agriculture and Food horti- culturist. Roses should be pruned 'each spring before the bushes leaf out to help maintain the quality and overall appearance of the plants. Although each plant should be pruned to its habit and amount of growth, Mr. Blom says there are some general guidelines. Wait until the buds start to swell, so you can determine which branches are alive and which are dead. Don't cut below last year's pruning. If you do, you weaken the plant and the new shoots won't be strong. If the rose bushes'are new and this is their fiist pruning, prune them about 20 to 30 centimetres (8 to 12 inches) above the ground. In subsequent years, prune a bit higher and remove all dead wood and weak, twiggy growth. It is important to prune climb- ing roses according to their growth habits. Cut off the thin branches so the plant does not have too many blind shoots. Established roses will benefit if fertilizer is applied during the growing season. Mr. Blom re- commends three applications of balanced fertilizer in mid May, June and August. Apply the fertilizer to the soil surface near the plants, then rake or dig it under. A rate Of 1/2 to 1 kilogram (1 to 2 pounds) of fertilizer for each 9 square metres (100 square feet) of rose garden is recommended. Fertilizer fotninlas fot roses are available at garden centers, but you can apply the general, purpose fertilizet used far lawns and gardens, Brussels, Ontario STORE HOURS: Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. Saturdays till 12100 NOON Adding a deck to your home can be easier than you think! You don't need fancy tools. Or a lot of know-how. A Buildall deck plan is really all you need. Buildall home improvement centres can turn just about any- body into a genuine do-it-yourselfer. A deck is a good place to start. Outdoor parties, private sunbathing and relaxed in- formal dining are all made possible with your own deck. By screening it in and adding a roof, you can create another room. It's like bringing all the beauty of the outdoors right into your home! And yes, you really can do it yourself. Our own selection of interesting deck plans should help to inspire you. Once you've selected the right kind of lUmber we'll cut it to meas- ure. And don't forget stains and paint. These help preserve the wood while enhancing its natural beauty. For; an added touch of luxury, why not lay down indoor-outdoor carpeting. Then your deck really feels like a room outdoors. But Buildall doesn't stop there. We have barbecues, picnic tables, outdoor furniture, planters- everything, to make your deck a fun place to be this summer. Buildall is where great outdoor living begins. We make it easier than you think.