The Rural Voice, 2004-11, Page 35feeder roots. They are unable to get
enough moisture and perish before
getting established.
Since corn gluten kills only the
roots of sprouting seeds it is useful
around transplants and established
vegetables; perennials, shrubs, and
lawns. Once a seedling has opened its
true leaves it is not affected by the
corn gluten. It only lasts five to six
weeks so timing is critical.
The downside is that it may be a
potential hazard for any individuals
who have an allergic reaction if
inhaled. Much like any airborne
material, you should protect yourself.
In the garden corn gluten will knock
out your seeding biennials and hardy
annuals if used before they are up and
have true leaves.
If you want to know more check
out the University of Wisconsin's
Urban Horticulture website. Another
good site for checking out
alternatives to chemicals is
www.beyondpesticides.org.
Don't forget the Guelph Turf
Grass Institute at gti.uoguelph.ca
They have a great newsletter and a
great page on fall pruning,
fertilization and fall pest control. I
never thought of dormant oil
application in the fall but it makes
sense. Just another tip from their
website. Check it out.0
Enjoy me
Couiiy Lilestylo
THE RURAL VOICE
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Home Decorating
Scurrging to prepare for winter
Patti
Robertson
operates
Classic
Interiors in
Wingham.
By Patti Robertson
Let me tell you ... Ward and I
have been every bit as busy as the
black squirrels in our yard gathering
nuts for the winter! We've been
hustling, bustling getting everything
tidied up and stored away for the
worst to come.
While I unearth plants from pots
and turn over planters Ward has been
closing down the pool, storing away
the chairs, chair pads, tables.
umbrellas and a large variety of
accessories we've managed to
accumulate over the years. The beer
fridge gets a final wipe out and is
shut off for the season; the chiminea
that so faithfully kept us warm on
cool summer evenings is cleaned out
and wrapped safely into a tarp; the
barbecue is all cleaned up and dons it
protective drape, but it's not stored
away ... because after all on those
warm days there is nothing like a
meal off the barbecue to inject a little
summer into the middle of winter!
Ward is extremely thorough at
packing away all our small statuary
so they do not succumb to the
ravages of the mountain of snow our
lawn "sports on any average winter,
and he also puts protective caps on all
our lawn and garden lights for added
measure.
And then, like you, we turn to the
general preparation like cleaning out
all the eavestroughs, caulking any
areas that are in need, checking
weather stripping, turning off all
exterior water taps and draining the
water out of the lines along with
draining all the water out of our very
long garden hose, rolling it up and
storing it. We're very aware of all the
care our home and property require
when getting ready for the cold north
wind to begin its inevitable blowing.
So, while Ward is busy outside, I
invariably prepare the inside of our
home. I change the linens to flannel
sheets and get out the duvets and
extra blankets. To the various areas in
our home I lay out afghans for
snuggling while watching movies or
reading books in cozy comfort. I
change the clothing in closets and
cupboards from spring and summer
attire and get out the woolens and
flannels for winter. Finally. I've had
to admit defeat and put away my
sandals — but not without a struggle.
I've ever gone so far as to
organize and plan some decorating
projects to be tackled in January. and
next week Ward and I have plans to
get out the. exterior Christmas decor
for a once-over inspection and update
in time for the festive season.
So, in many ways we're very
similar to our furry and feathered
friends, feathering our nests and
storing goodies for a long midwestern
Ontario winter's nap. Just around the
corner, inevitable as always.0
PATTI ROBERTSON'S
Unique Residential and
Commercial Interiors
135 Victoria St., WINGHAM
357-2872
• Custom-made Window
Fashions, Bedspreads
& Accessories
• Fine Domestic &
Imported Fabrics
• Select Wallcoverings
• Furnishings, Lighting
& Artwork to suit
any interior...
NOVEMBER 2004 31