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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2000-05-17, Page 711 1 LAWN & GARDEN Get your yard in shape for summer If getting your yard in *hape for summer scares. you with thoughts of hard - work or high dollar amounts, there are some • options to consider. before you let the grass go to seed or pour concrete on the flower garden. One option is to hire a professional firm or individual to plan and plant your yard. This.is. usually the most - expensive method, but:the best if your time is scarce. Another option is hiring a professional to design the plan, while youand your family execute it. Or by making use of available information such as bulletins and hooks, you can make both planning and landscaping your yard a do-it-yourself project. If you decide to use a professional landscape architect, find out if the work is guaranteed, make sure all agreements are in. wriitng and checkthe person or company out • with.your Better Business Bureau. Taking the do-it-yourself route will allow you to . change your mind at the planning stage as often as you like and will save a lot of money. • If you are.ambitious and have the money, it is possible to design and plant your whole yard, including trees. shrubs and grass at once. .Although some people stretch the project over several seasons and begin by planting their trees since they take longer to grow. Also, keep in mind the economic, as well as esthetic: benefits to landscaping your yard -- it increases your home's value and, if carefully planned, may help reduce energy bills. According to experts, summer -energy needs may be cut by .50 per, cent or more by. planting Shrubs and deciduous trees on the sunny side of your house. while shrubbery around the foundation will prevent drafts from entering. After your new yard is in place and taking root, the proper ongoing care will keep it looking its hest. :The right amount of water, fertilizer and mowing will keep grass healthy, while pruning trees and trimming -shrubs will help ensure their . health and growth. How To Take Care Of Trees Watering Watering is the key to tree survival. It should be used when filling the planting 'hole to elirpinate large air cavities, firm the soil • around fine roots .and provide nourishment for: new tree. During planting, bare root trees can be dipped in water -absorbing polymers. This amazing chemical comes under'a variety of band names and is available from nurseries. Its function is to attract water when abundant and hold it longer than soil when conditions get dry. It can also be deed with balled and burlapped trees when it's mixed with the backfill. The effects last for about two years. With or without the aid of polymers, water deeply around your tree once a week during warm, dry spells. Pruning Unless directions specify otherwise, it's better not to prune after planting if the tree will be watered regularly. Leaves ,manufacture food needed. for root growth, so the young tree, needs as fnuch of its crown as possible. Exceptions to thi3'rtile include trees that will be exposed to strong winds or drought conditions, in - which case, early pruning will reduce the demand for water from the roots. Always pruneM dead or broken branches. Fertilizing Avoid fertilizing shade trees until late spring of the second year following planting. Fertilizers can "burn" roots or stimulate crown growth faster than the roots cane supply water. Staking . - Stakes and guy wires should: be used only if support is. necessary. When -using, avoid - common problems -by following ,. these guidelines., I.If the: main: stem droops, find the..best place for support ties by moving your hand up the trunk to locate: the point above which the top can stand-up on its. own.. Placethesupport ties about 6 inches above that point. 2.Ties can be made many ways, but a loosely -fitted figure . eight ties made •of polyethylene, cloth or webbed_ strap. is easy to install, provides good support and cushions the tree. from • . rubbing against the stake. Using two ties - will' also minimize the chance of bark damage from '. rubbing. r 3.Regardl.ess of the tie used, allow . slack for sway. 4 Avoid driving ;take - through the root hall, or using .stakes • with • flanges that will break roots when removed.- ' 5.Remove :support ti.ey after one or two Yearn Mulish Mulch is a young, tree" best friend. It ,hold, down competing- weed or grass, retains soil moisture.: prevents soil cracking.' that can damage new, roots, protects the trunk from lawnmower damage and helps ,prevent soil compaction. Organic mulches, such as:wood chips or pine needles. also- eontribute to better .soil structure -and aeration as they decompose- - '' Avoid limestone rock and allow no -mulch to touch the tree's trunk or be- piled - higher, than 2 `to :3 inches. TWO NIPP ON EXPOSITOR, May 17, 2000-7 44' We have a great selection of Annuals o' Shrubs Or Trees w Water Plants Mon 280 Varieties OF PERENNIALS Starting as low as $2 • Uo to Wed. 8 to 6 Brun. & Fn 3 to 5 Sat 4 'n S Sun it 0 Stewart» Acres Greenhouses & Garden Centre 1 4e.4. 4 Hiles Fast atieafnrth on Highway R 722-0495 it GARDENING...See Us! owf 1,1071. -1 Pine Bark Mulch 3 cu. t. Peduces weeds. Sterilized Top Soil r® 25 titre. Serried sal enriched mth Manure 1 $ 8 1 •Mi1,st-w,H •Tac Peat Moss . 3 ctr. tt. $4" All Purpose Fertilizer 1O kg. 7 ' - 'ormula 20' Lawn Edging $ 99 \\\‘\\ Adirondack S ' Chair NAatntenance free. 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