Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-05-09, Page 23McDonald's your II Picnic Tables IN Pressure Treated Spruce & Cedar n Lattice n Paint, Stains, Rollers, Brushes II Water Sealant III Shovels & Rakes n Mini Ties n Hardware n Peat Moss Ask about the pew CWS decking material now available iMcDo McDonaldnald Home Hardware & Lumber Turnberry St., Brussels 887-6277 Come and visit the area's largest selection of plants under one acre of clean, well laid out and attractive greenhouse space. Buy direct from the best grower in Huron County and have plants that will flower all season for you. 1000s of geraniums all in one greenhouse, a sight to behold Petunias in a rainbow of colour Impatiens in at least 30 colours, 100s of perennials Vegetable plants from broccoli to zucchini Tomato plants for chili sauce 1000s of hanging baskets in all colours and combinations Potted containers and colour bowls We will plant your planters, in your choice of colours and it will be ready for you in a few weeks. Nursery stock, windbreak trees Ted's Tasty Tomatoes NOW READY! Our blooming perennial gardens are never the same — Come visit them often All Motheis Shopping at Te-Em Farms on May 12th and 13th will receive a FREE 3 1 /2" POTTED SEED GERANIUM Oderi oh Calldelle11/4 /9a 4e — Wholesale & Retail R.R.#1 Payfield, ON NOM 1G0 519-482-3020 N. Golf ,..rE-E• Cotrrge ,AFi m Hur • on co,„,t 3, °Mid #13 Clinto n THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2001. PAGE 23. Home & Garden 2001 Rolling greens may gather some moss About 50 different species of moss are commonly found in grass. Unlike seed-bearing plants, mosses produce spores that are blown from one area to another by the wind. These spores germinate to form thread-like struc- tures. Mosses are opportunistic plants that will develop and grow in bare soil or where grasses are weak and thin. They generally appear in areas with shallow, rocky. or poor fertility topsoil. in acidic soils, or in areas of heavy shade and excessive moisture. Because these conditions are tough on turf grasses; mosses can invade and establish themselves. Moss will not crowd out healthy turf grasses, but once moss is established, grass plants will not spread into those areas. Should I get out the rake? Although it may look as though you are reducing the moss by raking, you are only spreading and reseeding Bird-watching is an enjoyable activity for young and old alike any time of the year. One way to attract birds is to create a perfect backyard watering hole they can't resist. YOu will see an increase in the activity and variety of wild birds attracted to your backyard. Outdoor experts offer the follow- ing tips for attracting birds to your bird bath: • Wild birds need secure footing around water. If your bird bath has a slick surface, layer a few partly submerged flat rocks or pieces of wood to make the spot more bird- friendly. the moss spores and fragments. If the moss infestation isn't too severe, a better alternative would be to regu- larly scout .your lawn and carefully pull out any moss present. Acidic Soil The ideal soil pH for most lawns is 'neutral'. about 6.5 to seven. A pH below six is considered 'acidic' and over seven is 'alkaline'. Acid soil will often be associated with poor fertility, and may encourage moss growth in bare areas. Limestone is the common remedy used to 'neu- tralize' acid soils. If • you live in southern Ontario. you will not need lime, as the pH is usually neutral, at 6.5. If you live in .some parts of northern or eastern Ontario, soil tests may show pH lev- els, of four or five. In. these cases, applying limestone twice each grow- ing season, in addition to regular fer- tilizer applications, should signifi- cantly improve the pH level. • Many birds also have a fear of deep water. A maximum depth of seven centimetres is best, with a gradual slope to the deepest point. A minimum diameter of half a metre will allOw numerous birds to share the spot at any one time. • Keep the water open year round as fresh water can become quite scarce in many parts of the country during winter. Regularly clean the birdbath and ensure the water is fresh. • Bathing birds can be easy targets for predators, so keep elevated bird- baths at least three feet above the ground level. For the same reason. Continued on page 24 Moisture and shade Moist soil conditions, caused by poor drainage, low air circulation, and excessive shade, support the growth of moss. What are some remedies? I) Try to alter -the soil surface to encourage moisture to drain away. Dig a gentle trench that will divert water away from the moist area, or bury a drainage tile that will pick up excess moisture and carry it away. Raising the soil level by adding new topsoil can help move water away from that area. Sometimes aeration may help improve com- pacted soils. 2) If shade is the limiting factor for good turf growth, prune some tree branches to allow sunlight to filter in. Reseeding with grasses that are more adapted to shade may help, however even shade-tolerant grass- es will not survive too long under extremely heavy shade or in soils that are saturated for long periods. 3) Finally, if pruning and draining are not feasible, consider a more permanent solution by building up the soil, and replacing the grass with pachysandra, periwinkle, or other shade-loving ground cover. Poor soil fertility If your soil is in a dry, and fairly sunny area, then the appearance of moss is probably caused by poor soil fertility. Recent studies at Ohio State University and at Cornell University in New York indicated that fertiliza- tion with a high nitrogen fertilizer had a significant effect on moss reduction, and supported the growth of healthy turf. Monthly applications of iron and potassium, in combina- tion with nitrogen, were alsO helpful. Specific moss control fertilizers are available that contain nitrogen, potassium and iron. These ae most effective in a four-application per year program, with applications in early spring, late spring, mid-sum- mer, and early fall. As with all fertil- izers, carefully read and follow the directions on the project. Create a watering spot for feathered friends