The Rural Voice, 1979-06, Page 47Gardening
Gardeners share their secrets!
Slip tips, geranium tips, and did you
know ducks will eat potato beetles?
BY RHEA HAMILTON
Almost each and everyone of us have a special little secret that
will make gardening either that much easier or faster. Some
gardening secrets can help protect your plants from bugs or
disease.
But gardening tips are few and far between and even at local,
horticultural meetings very few are shared.
Rural Voice is interested in sharing garden tips with readers.
Some have already been submitted but garden ideas are always
welcome at Rural Voice, Box 10, Blyth.
Bill Craig, of Auburn has some of the greenest leafed
geraniums in his east window. Even the flowers are a really
brilliant red. Bill's secret is the water he uses. Soaking on a
window sill is a large jar filled with egg shells and water. With
this he waters his geranuiums and provides them with the
potossium they require for their deep bright colour.
"Only problem is that you have to live with the smell", Bill
said "It can get a little strong."
Jean McKee, head gardener for the Benmiller Estates, near
Goderich has some very good ideas about gardening. One
difference she's noted between Canadian and British gardeners
is how they go about obtaining new stock. In England if you like a
plant you ask for a slip or cutting. But here in Canada, gardeners
are not as foward.
"Here a person will remark on how nice a plant is and repeat
themselves several times over hoping you'll get the idea that
they would like a slip." says Jean. "At first I didn't understand
what they wanted and a lot of dissappointed people left my
garden."
Jean's tip is to ask for what you want. She maintains that most
gardeners are more than willing to help you out.
Tips when applied correctly may open up a whole new world
for you. I remember a lady who had leaf curl on her peach trees
and found out that planting garlic under that tree would prevent
this problem. Her results have been successful and she has
enjoyed fresh garlic as well as healthier peach trees.
Those farmers who allow their ducks free access to most of the
THE RURAL VOICE/JUNE 1979 PG. 45
AIL