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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-05-05, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2005. PAGE 19. Grow herbs in decorative planter for unique display Fresh herbs A strawberry pot is ideal for keeping a fresh herb garden. All it takes are the right ingredients: healthy potting soil with plenty of organic matter. (MS) — Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. You can grow your favourite herbs in a decorative planter for a delightful display and handy supply. Creating an herb planter is easy. You just need a strawberry pot, about 10 herb plants, peat-based potting mix, some small stones, and a cardboard wrapping-paper tube. A strawberry pot is an ideal planter because its protruding pockets let an assortment of herbs cascade from all sides, providing versatility in the kitchen, as well as an attractive show on the deck. Most herbs are sun-lovers, so choose a sunny site where they will be convenient for picking. For attractive results, position tall herbs, such as chives, parsley, and mint, at the centre and shorter or trailing herbs toward edges and in the pockets. For best results, use a top-quality, peat-based potting mix. An easy way to judge quality is to look at the ingredients listed on the potting-mix bag. If Canadian sphagnum peat moss is the first ingredient listed, it Tips for choosing plants Your local garden centre or nursery will probably be your first stop when selecting plants for your home and garden. But are they tending to their plants well enough to warrant purchases? Here are some items to look for when selecting plants to make sure you are getting healthy, hearty specimens, courtesy of the Do It Yourself network: * Plants should not look dried and yellowed on the foliage. * Look at the vein pattern in the foliage. If the veins are green and the foliage is green, the plants are well watered. If the veins are green and the foliage is yellow, it could be a sign of chlorosis that can be easily remedied with a proper watering and some fertilizer. * Look for signs of disease on leaves or blooms. It’s helpful to be familiar with the plants you are going to purchase so you’ll know the difference between a healthy and a diseased plant of the species. Gardening books or a well-informed nursery employee can assist you in these areas. For example, wilting or curling leaves on a rhododendron can indicate a disease is present. * Observe the roots of the plant if possible. Make sure they look healthy and exhibit no signs of root rot, fungus or disease on the roots. Also, avoid plants that are overgrown in their pots. They may have spent too much time in the nursery and may not fare well when planted in your garden. means there is more peat than any other ingredient, which assures you of good quality. The proper mix is particularly important for container plants to ensure adequate drainage. Yard soils tend to retain too much water, leading to rotting roots. Poor-quality potting mixes allow water to run through too quickly, leading to dried-out plants. 1. Add about two inches of peat moss to the bottom of the strawberry planter. Place the cardboard tube in the centre of the planter. Work it into the peat moss so that it remains upright. 2. Fill the pot with potting mixture to the first pockets. Now add plants, gently passing roots through the holes. Cover roots with potting mix, and repeat until planter is filled. Leave about one inch between the potting mixture and the planter rim to allow for watering. 3. Fill the cardboard tube with small stones, and then carefully pull out the tube. The stones improve drainage, allowing water to seep evenly throughout the potting mix. 4. Plant herbs in the open soil at the top of the planter. Use herbs that require less water, like basil, thyme, and rosemary. The herbs should be ready for picking within a few weeks. Water the planter frequently to keep the soil moist but not wet to the touch, and apply a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks. Pick herbs often, never taking more than a third of the plant at one time. The best time to pick is in the morning. For best flavour and fragrance, harvest herbs before they bloom. For more information on how to properly condition and prepare your soil or other ways to use peat moss, send an unstamped, self-addressed business-size envelope to Peat Moss, Box 385102, Minneapolis, MN, 55438. You can also visit www.peatmoss.com. The Canadian peat industry is committed to making peat a sustainable resource. Only one acre in every 6,000 is harvested, and when harvesting stops, the bogs are restored to functioning peatlands. For more information on peat and the environment, visit the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association's Web site at www.peatmoss.com. * • Licensed Septic Installations • Screened A Field Topsoil < Bark Mulch • Sand • Gravel Fill * Backhoeing * Bulldozing1 • Renovations • New Homes • Sales & Installation of Windows & Doors Call Ken 519-887-9857 Brussels, ON WILD 11 * 0 F ( ( D I KI C 6. CARD1KI ACC(S1O*I(S NIATVRTS KJfST Turn East at the main intersection in Londesborough (519) 523-4399 naturesnest @ bmts.com Tim & Jenn Elliott Waterfalls Decorative Feeders NATURE'S NEST t. 1 I ***** gggjjL ■ fl Squirrel-Proof Feede Come to Londesborough for a wonderful selection of: Birdfeeders of ALL types Freshly made birdfeed mixes Rustic garden decor • Lawn seed Skanta&tic idea& fw Mothe*'a Siaa