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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1977-04-14, Page 26Page 4 BEAUTIFY THOSE BARE SHANKS Dahlias: the prima donnas Small deciduous trees and large shrubs— those that drop their leaves dur- ing the winter — can be dressed up with spring -blooming flowers. This young sourwood tree, for example, does not leaf out until late spring. Thus, its mantle of spring flowers gets all the sun it needs. Surrounding the base of the tree are the orchid -like flowers of nemesia, blooming in late spring from fall -sown seeds. Only 8 to 10 in. high, the little plants usher in the summer with a gorgeous spec- trum of color before setting seeds and completing their life cycle. Frost hardy alyssum, pansy; and viola are often seeded or grown from plants around the base of trees. The new dwarf dianthus (pinks) and snapdragon will con- tinue to bloom well into summer. Shrubs and trees which flower and leaf out early, forsythia and flowering quince, for example, can also be grown with companion flowers. At the time you rake and clean away the winter debris from shrubs, dig out the grass and work up the soil for a foot or so beyond the tips of branches. Very early sow seeds of frost hardy flowers such as multicolored annual phlox in a circle around the perimeter of the branches. The phlox will come into bloom at about the time the shrubs are completing their spring flower show. Bare shanks of tall tulips and daffodiJs can be covered by early seedings of low -growing annual flowers. Shape -..up your hedges Hedges can be beautiful - especially when they're thick and green right to the ground as the result of regular trimming. Two of the -most common hedge plants, privet and yew, make excellent hedges because they can be renewed very easily, says Rt.Q,. Fleming, a horticulturist -with the Ontario ministry of agriculture and food. Lawn seeds abound Never before has there been. such a wealth of -raw materials to choose from when constructing a lawn. Loads of handsome new cul- tivars have been bred - -bluegras- ses, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescues galore. And garden cen- ters sport a wide assortment of handy aids to make lawn plantings succeed --tailored fer tilizers, safe and selective pesti- cides, easy-to-use equipment, and much else. "Privet hedges can be trimmed back severely in late winter or early spring, and. within one season they will return to a sleek, trimmed condition. The yew is one of the few eV'ergreens that will also withstand severe pruning and recover easily," he states. Rejuvenating a privet hedge is a drastic procedure. Hedge plants should be cut hard back to 12 to 15 inches from the ground in the spring before growth starts. Side branches of the plants should also be cut back proportionately at this time. The horticulturist says that new growth will soon appear, producing a thicker, vigorous and more 'manageable hedge. Proper watering and fertilization may also help the development of new growth. Study, gardening at home Home gardeners can educate house plants, trees, shrubs, their green thumbs by enrolling lawns, landscape design and pest in the home gardening course control. It is designed to take offered by the University of about one year, with an average Guelph. of one assignment per month. This home study program is..... -However, there is no time -limit," directed to all types of home says Professor Crawford. gardeners, says Professor Home gardening, first offered Harold Crawford of the Office of in 1960 through the continuing Continuing Education. education program at the "The course covers a wide University of Guelph, is one of the most popular courses. After successful completion of this non- credit course, students receive a ."Home Gardener Certificate." "Interested, people can begin the home gardening course anytime during the year. This year there are 250 students." The course, which is open to everyone, is sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. It costs $30 for Ontario residents and $50 for out -of - province residents. Books cost $20. For more information about the course contact the Office of Continuing Education, Univer- sity of. Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1. ° variety of topics including soils, fertilizers, plant propagation, vegetable culture, herbs, fruits, Scale needs control now Lilac, apple, juniper and a large number of other trees and shrubs can be infested with a pest known as "scale," an i,,s.ect that sucks the sap of the host, causing twigs and whole branches to wither and die. But scale can be brought under control, if your spray timing is correct. "Scale insects spend most of their life cycle under a hard scale, which makes their control difficult with ordinary garden pesticides. For a very few days in May, the crawlers emerge from under the scale, when they can be controlled with malathion sprays. But since the crawler stage lasts only a few days, it can be missed easily," says an ex - It pays to fertilize Because of the limited amount of soil in the pots of househplants, the level of plant nutrients can soon be depleted. For stronger, larger plants that will flower better and last longer, it's im- portant to fertilize houseplants regularly, states ministry of agriculture and food hor- ticulturist, R.F. Gomme. "Fertilizers are available in many forms," he says. "Those such as 5-10-15 and super- phosphate can be applied when the soil is being mixed for pot- ting. For regular feeding, there are several kinds available, either as complete plant food or as liquid concentrates." Whatever type is used, M. Gomme recommends that indoor gardeners read and follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. A common fault iso to add too strong a fertilizer which may injure plants. Many of the trade -name fertilizer forms can be diluted with water. The hor- ticulturist also recommends that plants be given regular feedings about every two weeks, rather than large applications oc- casionally. tension horticulturist with the Ontario ministry of agriculture and food, D.B. McNeill. According to Mr. McNeill the most effective control for scale is a dormant oil spray that should be applied in the spring before the buds break. This is a special oil available- at any garden supply store. When applied ac- cording to the manufacturer's directions, it can provide ex- cellent control of scale. Vineland Station -- From small pompoms an inch across to giants up to a foot in diameter, the Dahlia is a versatile garden plant. We can buy small plants of dwarf Unwin hybrid Dahlias for our annual flower borders, or we can become specialists, growing the wore exotic forms which require extra care in feeding, staking, spraying and disbud- ding. Dahlias are usually planted in a bright, sunny location as rooted cuttings or as to erous roots from, which the young plant develops. P ing should begin only after danger of frost is passed. The soil should be prepared deeply, manure or organic matter incorporated as well as a liberal application of a good general purpose garden fertilizer such as a 5-10-15 or a 10- 10-10. Dahlias are heavy feeders and rapid growers so a rich, friable, well -drained soil is essential. A constant supply of water is needed at all times to provide moisture for the growing plant and to keep the soil cool and moist for optimum root development. For the tall Dahlia, staking is a must and is best done when the cuttings or tubers are planted. For exhibition bloom, side shoots are removed as the plant grows, leaving just one stem. When the flower buds begin to form, all but one are removed. For cut flowers or garden color, pinching the tip from new stems in the spring will cause branching and multiple stems to form, each of which will produce flowers. Further information on Dahlias can be obtained by writing to the Information Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Parliament Buildings, Toronto. Ask for publication No. 43, Dahlias. Propagation by cuttings The houseplant fancier can propagate many varieties of geranium, coleus and ivy whenever suitable growths are available. To propagate houseplants by cuttings, use side shoots or tips of branches three to six inches tang. Remove the lower leaves from the cuttings to facilitate planting. Trim the base of each cutting so the cut is clean and not ragged. "Cuttings of plants that root rapidly, such as Wandering Jew and Coleus, may be set in a glass of water," says Ontario ministry of agriculture and food hor- ticulturist, D.M. Sangster. "However, most cuttings produce better roots in clean, sharp sand or in a medium such as perlite." Keep the medium moist, but not saturated, and do not reuse a medium unless it has been sterilized. To create a moist atmosphere around cuttings and prevent them from wilting, cover with a glass jar or plastic. Remove the covering gradually once the cuttings begin to root. Shade cuttings from the sun, but make sure they have plenty of indirect light. Wheri roots are one to two inches long, transfer the young plants to small pots nearly filled with a suitable'potting soil. Garden guide available .. The "1977-1978 Insect and Disease Control in the Home Garden" (Publication 64) is now available from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. This publication, designed for the home gardener, discusses both chemical and nbn-chemical methods of controlling insects and diseases on "vegetables, fruits, fruit trees, ornamental plants and lawns. Advice is given on the safe use of pesticides and the time, rate a.nd method of application, together with information on their environmental impact. Information on treatment is presented in tabular form giving the crop or plant, the disease or insect, and the pesticide or cultural practice to use. Special spray programs are included for apple, pear, peach, plum and cherry trees. This popular publication is now in its second edition and will be updated every other year. Copies are available at a cost of 50 cents from the Information Branch, Ministry of Agriculture and 'Food, Legislative Buildings, Queen's Park, Toronto M7A 1A5. Cheques or money order should be made payable to the Treasurer of Ontario. For Spring Gardening Ease FAST! . SAFE! ,...-RELIABLE! EFFICIENT! NEEDIE "NEEDIE" trims, edges, and mani- cures your lawn with amazing speed and safety. "Needie" slashes away unwanted grass and weeds in hard to get to places that can't he reached with conventional trim- • mers. "Needle" turns yard work into fun. Try "Needie". It cuts with fish'in' line. The perfect yard maintenance tool that no home should be without. Come In - check out our EXCELLENT SELECTION. i THE NEEDIE BY s BEFORE AFTER NEEDIE IS SAFE No need to shatter bottles or other objects hidden in the grass. That's why the lady of the house loves using "Needie". And "Needie" is double insulated for double safety. Even women and children 'have fun with "Needie". WEED EATER ARGYLE MARINE & SMALL ENGINES 524-9201 88 BRITANNIA RD. E. GODERICH 4 4 • 4 1