The Citizen, 1997-05-07, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7,1997
Gardeners9perennial interests peak in May
For the gardening enthusiast, the
month of May twigs reminders that
Jack Frost is packing it in to make
way for those trusty botanicals that
come back year after year -
perennials. Ideal for low-
maintenance gardening, perennials
provide a bust of colour at various
times throughout the gardening
season for approximately three to
four weeks at a time (mid-July is
generally considered peak time).
Following the flowering period,
they provide attractive and
contrasting foliage for the rest of
the season and renew each spring
from the same roots.
In preparation for planting and/or
maintaining these reliable and
popular favourites, Canadian Tire's
Garden Club has some hints to help
make your garden come alive.
• Before you start, check if you
have all the necessary gardening
equipment such as a trowel,
watering hose, appropriate nozzles
and a lightweight shovel. If not, go
out and get them!
• Begin with a good foundation.
In preparing the soil, dig deeply
(approximately 25 cm), add organic
matter as recommended for
individual plants and ensure
drainage is sufficient.
• A perennial bed. should have
taller growing plants at the back
with shorter plants in front and a
lower growing border at the edge.
If the bed is to be viewed from all
sides, start with the tallest plants in
the centre and graduate the shorter
plants out to the border plants.
• For easy access to tending
plants/weeding and to create better
air circulation, leave an unplanted
strip behind the border.
• Curved edges on your perennial
beds are more pleasing than
straight lines. Try using a garden
hose as a guide to outline the shape
before digging.
• Select plants suited to your soil
and light conditions. Most plants
come with a full "best conditions"
description. If they don't, be sure to
ask before you make a purchase.
• You can plan for continuous
bloom throughout the spring,
summer and fall by using a variety
of perennials with early, mid and
late seasonal flowering times.
• Why not build your perennial
collection over the years?
Established plants can be separated
from time to time to make room for
new plants and for replanting in
other locations. Remember to
divide your perennials every few
years to prevent overcrowding and
At last - the good weather is
here. It's time to stain the deck,
paint the trim or build a wood
fence. Whatever outdoor
woodworking project you are
doing, you want to make sure the
results of your efforts will last!
Here are some tips for applying
coatings to exterior wood:
• New wood used outdoors
should be finished soon after
installation, otherwise sun, wind
and rain can loosen the surface
wood fibers, making it difficult for
a finish to adhere to the surface.
• On horizontal surfaces such as
decks, do not use latex stains. They
do not penetrate and will wear
through quickly under foot traffic.
Use a semi-transparent alkyd stain
control spreading.
• To move a perennial to a new
home, simply take as large a root
ball as possible and immediately
replant it.
• Mulch in the summer to
discourage weeds, retain moisture
and keep roots cool.
• Stake tall plants that require
support.
• When the flowering period is
finished and seedpods form,
remove the pods to strengthen the
existing root system. Seeds can be
removed from the pods for early
planting indoors in the winter.
• In the fall, remove stalks and
leaves to help prevent spread of
fungal spores - the only thing that
should remain is the root of the
plant itself. Apply mulch, once
again, after the ground freezes.
Making deck finish last
to penetrate the wood and let the
beauty of the grain show through.
• Stain is superior to paint for
fences because there is so much
exposed end grain which acquires
and loses water readily. Stain
Continued on page 19
Pool tips
Continued from page 17
on home improvement loans may
be tax deductible.
9. Ask for a warranty for your
pool and its support equipment.
10. If you decide to use a pool
maintenance service, look for a
company with personnel who are
well trained. Many NSPI members
participate in the Association's
certification program.
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