The Rural Voice, 1989-01, Page 43RURAL LIVING
daisies, bellflowers, perennial candy -
tuft, dwarf catnip, hardy cornflowers,
coreopsis, delphiniums, dianthus (very
quick to sprout), hollyhocks, linums,
lupins, monardas, painted daisies,
rudbeckias, saponarias, stachys,
verbascums, and violas.
Once your seeds have sprouted,
cool temperatures and plenty of sun-
light make for steady, sturdy growth.
Thin seedlings to several per pot
and eventually you will have one
strong vigorous plant per pot to set
out in your perennial garden.
To give your plants a good start
in the garden, add large amounts of
spongy organic matter to the soil
before planting. Before the summer
sets in, mulch with decayed leaves,
straw, or whatever you can find.
Plants such as phlox which like mois-
ture should not be allowed to dry out;
others that like drier conditions can be
set out without too much mulch.
Besides following Patrick Lima's
advice on perennials, you could visit a
neighbour's or friend's garden that
you have admired. Gardeners will
help you get started with the offer of
slips, roots, and seeds. Gardeners love
to talk about their plants — they're a
wealth of information.
Local garden or horticulture clubs
are another good source of informa-
tion when starting up a perennial
garden. I know of many clubs that
have plant auctions in the spring.
Members bring in their favourite
plants that have grown too big for
their gardens and are ready for a bit of
thinning. The price is usually right
and advice comes free of charge.0
Rhea Hamilton -Seeger, in addition
to working as advertising production
manager for The Rural Voice, serving
as deputy reeve of West Wawanosh
Township (Huron County), and
raising two children, is a skilled cook
and gardener. Any questions about
recipes or gardening should be
addressed to her at The Rural Voice.
FARM SAFETY
u
SAFETY TIPS:
facts from
WEST WAWANOSH
MUTUAL INSURANCE
COMPANY
Beware of
CARBON MONOXIDE
— THE SILENT KILLER.
• Never leave a vehicle idling in a closed area.
• Fuel -burning heaters should be vented adequately to the outdoors.
• Burning charcoal or other
combustibles in a closed area can
lead to a buildup of carbon
monoxide.
• AH fuel burning appliances should
receive an annual safety
inspection.
When you need Insurance call:
Frank Foran, R.R. 2. Lucknow
Lyons 8 Mulhern, 46 West St., Goderlch
Kenneth B. MacLean, R.R. 2. Paisley
John Nixon. R.R. 5, Brussels
Donald R. Simpson. R.R. 3, Goderich
Delmar Sproul. R.R. 3, Auburn
Laurie Campbell, Brussels
Slade Insurance Brokers Inc.
Kincardine
528-3824
524-2664
368-7537
887-9417
529-7567
529-7273
887-9051
396-9513
Dungannon, Ont. NOM 1R0 (519) 529-7922
Louisville, Kentucky
National Farm Machinery Show
and Championship Tractor Pull
4 Days
Over 340,000 square feet of exhibit space and 750 exhibitors.
Included in the Tour Cost: All transportation by deluxe motor coach, three
nights accommodation at the Ramada Inn, tickets for the championship
tractor pull, all taxes and service charges.
PRICE: $369.00 per person (Twin)
DEPARTS: February 15th 1989.
w..... >E f o:.
Call and ask for your free
Fall/Winter brochure!!
Mount Forest
1-800-265-2131
519-323-1545
Mitchell
519-348-8492
JANUARY 1989 41
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