HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-05-11, Page 66 - THE HURON EXPOSITOR, May 11, 2005
2005 Sarins Lawn
Gardens can create oasis of tranquility
Gardens can create an oasis of tranquility for your
family, or even serve as an educational springboard —
opening minds to the world's natural wonders.
It's easy and fun to create a beautiful garden.
Here some tips to ensure that your garden blooms and
smells of success:
1. It All Starts With Good Soil
Getting and keeping good soil is one of the most
important factors in creating a beautiful garden.
"Plants generally like soil that is rich in organic matter
and that doesn't drain too quickly," says John Mansz,
gardening expert for The Home Depot Canada.
"Adding organic matter loosens up the soil, promotes
good drainage and improves the ability of the soil to
deliver nutrients to the roots," says Mansz.
While peat moss is often used as a soil conditioner, its
large scale use destroys peat bogs that are important sites
for wildlife and help protect the earth from global
warming.
Alternative soil conditioninis all natural and
environmentally responsible. It absorbs and retains more
water than peat and has excellent aeration and drainage
properties. (Available at leading garden centres.)
2. Right Plant, Right Place
How much sun your garden receives determines which
plants you can grow successfully.
"Take note of the light conditions in your garden and
choose plants that will be happy with what you have to
offer," says Mansz. At your local garden centre, be sure
to check the plant tags for cultural requirements.
3. Instant Colour
For instant colour you can't go wrong with annuals that
bloom non-stop from spring to frost.
Lawn & Garden Supplies
• Lawnmowers
• Trimmers
• Wheelbarrows
• Rakes & Shovels
• Peat Moss
• Fertilizer & Spreaders
GAS BBQs
NOW IN STOCK
...Plus a full line of accessories
SEE OUR SELECTION OF
BICYCLES & ACCESSORIES
Check out our new
POWER ASSIST BICYCLES
Now In -Stock
Check out our Home Catalogue for ideas!
"Help is close to home."
SILLS
�'-- HOME HARDWARE
69 Main Street, Seaforth 527-1620
Tyler Papple prepares for the planting season at his Main Street business in Seaforth.
Some stars of the shade garden are browallia, coleus,
fuchsia, impatiens, and lobelia.
"In sunny locations celosia, cleome, cosmos, gazania,
marigold and portulaca will shine," says Mansz.
4. Water Wisely
Water when needed, usually when the soil is dry.
"Avoid frequent shallow waterings that encourage roots
to stay near the surface instead of reaching deep into the
soil for moisture," says Mansz.
"Plants that have deep roots are better able to withstand
periods of drought."
A water -retaining supplement which can be added to
your soil can increase the days between waterings. This
natural product acts like thousands of mini sponges,
absorbing water and releasing it as the plants need it.
5. Feed Them and Weed Them
Good food is necessary for plants to grow strong and
beautiful.
Start them off'to a good start with transplant fertilizer
at planting time. Subsequently, apply an all purpose
fertilizer every two weeks for optimum performance.
To have a beautiful garden and get a good return on
your investment in terms of both time and money, you
have to eliminate the weeds.
"Mulch is a gardener's best friend and is by far your
best defense against weeds," says Mansz.
Once your garden is planted, spread mulch between
your plants.
Mulch also helps to hold moisture in the soil by
slowing down evaporation. You can use wood chips,
cocoa beans, pine needles and many other natural
products.
News Canada
Wildflowers thrive in conditions
where other plants are defeated
Wildflowers may be the
perfect answer to a shady
problem on your lot.
They thrive on conditions
that defeat many other types
of flowers. And you may be
surprised to find that many of
the perennial plants available
through garden centres are
Get Mower
for
Your
Money!
26 H.P. Kohler
ommand Twin Mower
with 50" Cutting Deck
cdthcariarIiLT 1050.uk...
•Heavy Duty Hydrostatic Transmission with 4 bolt integral hubs
•Electric PTO
•Heavy Duty 1/2" Dual Yolk Deck Hanger and 4 Antiscalp Wheels
•Hourmeter/OiVPTO & Battery indicators
*Quick Attach Deck - 2 Point Quick Release Spring Pins
•Dual Ball Bearing Supported Front Wheels
w/Grease Fitting •Operator Assist Handles
•Heavy Duty Greasable Deck Spindles
•3 Gallon Saddle Mounted Fuel Tank w/3" filler cap
COMPARE AT...
X3,395
Used Ridin. Mowers
Model HP
John Deere RX 75 - rear engine 9
13
13
14
14.5
15
16
16
18
27
Cub Cadet 1320
Cub Cadet 1315
Cub Cadet 2145
Mastercraft
Cub Cadet Zero Tum
Mastercraft
Yard Pro
Cub Cadet 3186
Steiner 430 Hydro AWD
Deck
36"
38"
38"
38"
42"
42"
45"
44"
48"
Tag#
S61477
S61485
S61354
S61394
S61468
S61250
S61482
S61486
S60547
S61479
Price
$890
$550
$750
$1,290
$795
$2,990
$990
$995
$2,290
$7,900
Many other used mowers & Garden Tractors in stock!
tWadri!
FARM EQUIPMENT
SEAFORTH 527-0120
EXETER 235-2121
www .teartivi ncent.com
actually "tame" wildflowers,
nearly identical to their
cousins growing in natural
areas.
Columbine, Jacob's ladder,
Creeping or blue Phlox,
Bleeding hearts and
Solomon's seal are just a few
examples.
You'll find they blend
beautifully in a shady setting
along with woodland
favourites like Jack-in-the-
pulpit, Foam flower, Trout
lily and a wide range of
ferns.
If you're not sure which
varieties to choose, try a pre -
blended mix such as
Pickseed Wildflower Mix.
Many nurseries and garden
centres have special
wildflower sections, and they
can advise you on which
plants will naturalize well in
your garden conditions.
When choosing and
preparing a site for your
wildflower garden, keep in
mind the kind of natural
habitat these plants prefer:
moist, humus -rich soil in an
area that has lightly dappled
shade.
Spend some time preparing
a good deep bed with plenty
of compost mixed in, then
plant in an informal pattern —
wildflowers look best in
groups as they would appear
in the wild.
Your new garden will fill
out faster, bloom more
abundantly and withstand
stress better if you feed it
regularly with a top-quality
fertilizer like Plant -Prod
Flowering Plant Food 15-30-
15.
How to keep wildlife. from
turning your new garden into
a salad bar:
It's not surprising that
animals, birds and insects are
attracted to the garden
environment with all it has to
offer.
And many gardeners enjoy
the increased level of wildlife
activity a new garden brings.
But how do you keep these
creatures from dining out too
heavily on your flowers and
foliage?
Many perennials are
naturally resistant to insects
and animals: Due to their
taste or poisonous nature,
wildlife will avoid them.
Here are some examples:
Resistant to deer & other
animals:
Astilbe, bleeding heart,
columbine, daffodil,
foxglove, iris, periwinkle,
lavender, lungwort,
sunflower.
Resistant to insects:
Marigolds.
Other controls: There are
some quite effective animal
repellents on the market that
are worth trying, such as
Green Earth Animal
Repellent. Green Earth
Insecticidal Soap can be used
to control insect damage. For
more information, visit
www.greenearth.ca.
News Canada
Team Vincent's Riding Lawn Mower
& Garden Tractor
SPRING SERVICE SPECIAL
Includes:
• 10 pt. inspection
• Change oil & filters
• Grease all bearings
• Complete cleaning
• Sharpen Blades
X98
95
Parts
■ Extra
( -, Lawn Mowers 7 point inspection 5895
w Chain Saws 6 point inspection 39.99
We Service All Makes & Models
Cuba/di/4(
vadjak Just North of Seaforth
It
527-0120
www.teamvincent.com
FARM EQUIPMENT