The Rural Voice, 1987-05, Page 60RURAL LIVING
YOUR HOME GARDEN
AND WEED CONTROL
Many weed seeds found in gardens
will live 30 to 40 years in the soil
waiting for optimum germinating con-
ditions. Velvetleaf, pigweed, lamb's
quarters, ragweed, mustard, purslane,
and foxtail seeds have been known to
remain viable after 38 to 40 years.
But if weeds are kept under control
for a number of years and weed seeds
or perennial weed parts are not allowed
to reproduce or develop, weed control
becomes easier each year. "One year's
seeding means seven year's weeding,"
goes the old adage.
Because most vegetable gardens
include a variety of crops that won't
tolerate the same herbicide, it is best
to consider mechanical methods. Sur -
ring the soil regularly is the best
approach. Use a hoe or small hand
cultivator before weeds grow much
past the seedling stage. Shallow
hoeing conserves soil moisture best.
Another effective way to stop
weeds and to conserve soil moisture
and moderate temperatures is to mulch
the soil. Coloured pastic shades out
weeds. Lay a metre -wide (3 -foot) strip
of plastic on top of the soil. Tuck the
edges into shallow trenches and cover
with soil. This is done after you have
prepared the soil for planting. Punch
holes in the plastic at each place where
transplants will be planted or seeded
crops will germinate and emerge.
Other mulching materials that
prevent weed growth are straw, grass
clippings, wood chips, or stone chips.
Larger home gardens may warrant
the use of chemical weed control, but
planning is necessary. It is wise to
keep all perennial crops — straw-
berries, raspberries, rhubarb, aspar-
agus — on one side of the garden.
Some herbicides can be applied as
a spray before planting and incorpora-
ted into the top 10 cm (4 inches) of
soil. Another group of herbicides can
be used at the pre -emergence stage.
Apply the suggested rates in 3 to 4
litres (1/2 to 1 gallon) of water per 93
m2 (1,000 square feet). Apply gran-
ular herbicides by sprinkling with a
shaker made from an old tin can with
fine holes. Apply liquids or wettable
powders in 4 litres of water (1 gallon)
per 93 m2 (1,000 square feet).0
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NURSERY STOCK
NURSERY STOCK • LANDSCAPING NURSERY STOCK
BAKERS NURSERY
IS
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Beautiful Clumps of
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• 2 & 3 stems
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• Can be planted anytime
$7500 to $8500
We carry a complete line of nursery stock, and are
equipped to handle all of your landscaping needs.
BAKER'S NURSERY
"Quality Merchandise At A Fair Price"
R.R. 2, Bayfield, Ont.
519-482-9995 (closed Sundays)
•
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ONIdVOSGNVI
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• NURSERY STOCK • LANDSCAPING • NURSERY STOCK •
M.C. SMITH
Sales L3 Service
--O.
year a•t, QV a a 1
Parts am lagoar
�--wears
Jon Magnetron
Features
Manual & Easy -Matic
Temperature Probe
Easy•Matic Reheat
60-600 W Cooking Power
6 Power Levels
3 Stage Memory
Time & Weight Defrost
Temperature Hold
Auto Start
Rota Flow Microwave Distribution
Oven Size -1 cu. ft.
Easy -Matic Microwave Oven
R.R. 2, Listowel, Ontario
N4W 3G7
519-291-3810
Store Hours: Monday, Tuesday, 9-6
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 9-9
Saturday , 9-5
$379. 34
YMO 666
MERWOOD C.
LIMITED
MAY 1987 59