Loading...
Clinton News-Record, 1980-04-17, Page 48•..tlyllyt, POTSANDss use, ,e TS O r . of the to lest and most ,economical' landscaping tech- niquesldate your exterior, And,: according to the Ortho book, "Container and Hanging Gardens," these easy -to -grow mobile mini- gardins ca poorly -designed architectural features, ete. ti The jagged, a irregular leaves of a common yellow - flowered weed .inspired its. popular name "tooth of thelions. This name has'come down to us from the French version (den de lion) and we know it 4$ the dandelion, Its most unusual biological feature, however, is. not .its leaves,. but its ability to reproduce by the plant "equivalent of u virgin birth. This widespread pest of lawns. and gardens, known to scientists as Taraxacum gfficinale agg., produces viable seeds without any fertilization, Although the plant blooms .abundantly and.th,+ flowers usually produce nectar and pollen, pollination is not necessary for seed production. The,..'oirufes simply grow and produce n ml'nitc handy-oamou-(iages-fe-m4any-garden--prohleins-fil e -ref trareas, ----seeds-w-ithou ferti-l-izatien, Pool care...... (From page 26) making it easier for the filter to process them out. NSPI recommends that anyone considering building a pool should investigate automatic cleaning equipment. Although such equipment will increase initial cost of the pool, it will help save both time and money later on, the pool institute claims. Portable, cleaning systems, operated on the same principle and powered by a garden hose, are available for use in already , constructed pools. A heavy duty vinyl pool cover, averaging around $200 for a rectangular home pool, can be a sound maintenance investment. Kept on .the pool during the winter months, it will eliminate much of the spring clean up chore. A cover also makes ,sense in 'summertime when the owner plans_to be gone for two weeks or more—both to keep the pool clean • and to keep out uninvited swimmers. Special problems may arise, however, even in well maintained Pools: One of these in algae. Algae commonly appears in two forms: black algae, which makes unsightly spots on pool walls, and green floating algae. Bothrt are normally taken care of by a regular maintenance program, but stubborn cases may be treated by vigorous brushing of spots, followed by applicationof spot killer and use of special inexpensive algaecides. Another problem, red -brown discolored water, is caused by a high concentration of dissolved iron. Disinfectants may oxidize this dissolved iron, leaving rust particles in the pool and giving - Use oxidizing sanitizer and run the filtration system for 48 hours straight to clear out the particles. _Should par.ti.cles. settle----to—the bottorrr, they should 1 e vacuumed up immediately to avoid staining the pool bottom. For a great garden... choose from our quality box plants! �• Zinnias Pansies • Dusty -Miller • Cauliflower • Petunias • Marigolds • Bussels Sprouts • Coleus • Salvia • Lobelia • Begonias • Ageratum • Portulaca_ • Broccoli • Geraniums' • Tomatoes • Carnations • Alyssum • Asters • Cabbage • Spanish Onions K.C. COOKS II K enemies it spread rapidly. There are.natiVe dandellpn species but they are found only in the north of Canada' and do not pose any problem in lawusand gardens. "Interestingly, many of these native dandelions produce their seed by the normal pollination and fertilization, processes," Dr. lvcNeill; says. There' are several safe, ,effective herbicide products available to the homeowner for dandelion control. ' As a broad -leafed plant the dandelion is susceptible to most broad -leaf weed killers. Many herbicide products -Page277-1 rY ?containing 24-D have been especially foymulated for use.by the-homegwner, These :shoubee applied using a proper applicator and following the in- structions on the ia'bel, Treat early, before seeds have formed and apply. the • weeci':l�Iller carefully to prevent any chemical drift onto flowers,, shrubs, fruits or vegetables which could be severely injured. Digging out the plant is not usually an effective means of Control. Any small piece of root left inthe ground will • produce a new plant. uper impatiens This unusual mechanism: = found in few other plants - allows the dandelion to spread quickly. Even one plant in a new area can soon _ produce a whole bed of yellow flowers. "Over the long run, however, this reproductive method may prove detrimental to the species. Because each plant is identical in every respect to. the parent plant, it has a decreased ability to, evolve," says John MoNeill, an Agriculture Canada weed specialist. The common dandelion is really a complex number of distinct strains that some botanists even treat as separate species. The weedy dandelion is not native to North America. It is believed to have been introduced as seed by early European explorers, sometime in the seventeenth oe tt : With no naturar- Plant breeders never quit. And the breeder of the Elfin impatiens is no . different from the rest. Continuous, innovative breeding has changed Elfins into Super Elfins. And not just in name. The flowers of the Super Elfins are 30 per cent larger, than the Elfins - up to 2 in- ches across. If you buy plant.,., from_ your garden center or bedding -plant grower, earliness won't make any difference to you, as the grower plans his crop so that they are ready for you; but if you grow them from seed, it won't take as long to get the newer Elfins into flower. And the colors! Thirteen of them — all bred to produce the truest and best colors around: 'Blue,' 'Blush,' '.Crimson,' `Fuchsia,' 'Orange,.' 'Lip- stick,' 'Orchid,' 'Pink,' 'Red,' `Rose,' 'Salmon,' -'Scarlet' and 'W'hite:' Two colors, available for the first time this year, are 'Super Elfin Blush' and 'Lipstick.' 'Blush' is a light pink variety with, red eye. 'Lipstick' is wild rose with white eye. The Super Elfins are compact, basal branching, and their larger flower size and wide color range make them even more desirable for pots; tubs, hanging _baskets or mass..p:iantings in shady areas. Impatiens need filtered shade, but can be planted In half-day sunny locations, if ground is kept moist by daily watering. Plants of these varieties will ,.be available from garden centers and bedding - plant growers. Check your mail-order seed catalogues for seeds. Hedge Pruning Prune hedges so that the base is slightly wider _than the top. This allows sunlight to reach the lower foliage. What a way to go! Venture manufactured by Stnrcraft Shamrock . Tandem Trailers ...tough and beautiful, with all the comforts of home on long vacations • We carry many sizes and.,models of truck covers • Travel Trailers • Folding Campers • Trailer Accessories TRAVEL -ON SALES & SERVICE R.R. 2, CLINTON 3 miles West of Clinton on Highway No. 8 Gordon Steepe 482-3364