HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-04-16, Page 544 .i
PAGE 28
Container gardening helps ..:..,Dive space problem
Container gardening isnot new.
Thousands. of years ago, the Babylonians,
the Japanese and the Chinese were using
this method with excellent results, •
Not xnanY Canadians realize that this type
of 'gardening makes wonderful sense in
Canada, says Master Gardener Joan Pier-
son of London, Ont., one of several garden-
ing enthusiasts who has received formal
horticultural training through the Ontario
Ministry. of Agriculture .and Food's Master
Gardener program.
Container gardening lifts the plants from
the ground
In the spring you can put in your first
plants or your first seeds sooner than usual
because the earth in your raised containers
thaws more quickly. .
You can also control the type of planting
indium in your containers and keep your
soil friable and fertile.
Soil in containers drains easily and —
what is most important — it warms up
rapidly.
Some seed simply will not germinate
when the soil is cold.
"It may be sunny and the air
temperatuare. may be a balmy 20 degrees
Celcius, but in the average Canadian
garden, the, frost does not leave the ground
until May 15," she says.
Therefore your soil temperature will be
several degrees colder than 20 degree. p.
13eanseed (and many other types of seed)
simply will not germinate, in cold soil.
"It really, pays off to carefully read the
planting instructions on the back of the seed
packets," Pierson says.
Mark the front' of the package with Plan-
ting inforniationcthe recominended plan-
ting date, whether they should be planted in-
doors or outdoors andthe recommended soil
temperature for good germination.
Containerized gardening also cuts the
usual digging, weeding, hoeing and water-
ing chores in half.
"It is the ideal type of gardening for han-
dicapped or older people; in miost.cases, you
can discard the heavy digging spade and use
an ordinary hand trowel," Pierson says.
Containers'can also be constructed so that
people can garden from their wheelchairs.
You don't need fancy, expensive con-
tainers either.
Builders' supply 'yards, scrap metal
dealersand junk yards are likely places to
pick up large flue tiles, sewer pipes, con-
crete blocks, railroad ties, wooden barrels,
old brick and so on,
Garage sales may also yield cracked
pickle crocks or blue speekleware wash tubs
with a hole in the bottom — ideal for
drainage!
You can also build your own containers
from scrap: lumber.
House wreckers or building, renovation
contractors are likely sources for low-cost
material.
Fit heavy containers with industrial -sized
castors so that you can move the plants to
areas where they will receive the most sun»
shine — morning and afternoon.
Another plus factor with containerized
herbs
and veg
gardis ening
t. canmall tgrow in thible e same
container.
For example, a large barrel, cut WW1!,
and placed in .a sunny location, might hold a
"Patio Pik"'tomato plant, some rosemary -
and some cascade petunias.
The other half -barrel in semi -shade could
grow "White King" swiss chard surrounded
by a border of "Elfin" impatiens andcreep-
ing thyme.
Some unusual herbs like pineapple sage
like the shade.
So does watercress.
So plant them together in a pot and keep
well -watered. (You can also. enjoy the
watercress in your -favorite summer
salads).
Plan ahead and keep a notebook when you
are buying seeds and plants,
List plants in yaw book that are compati-
ble and which need the same light conditions
to flower or bear fruit.
And don't'forget to place the taller, plants
M the middle of your container and the
suiallcrones along the outer edge.
Color is an important element in container a
garden plannii .
Consider which vegetables are not only
good to eat but beautiful to look at.
• Opal basil can make a stunning plant in a
container.
It has wine red- leaves and pink flowers
and makes a fabulous and flavorful deep
rosy pink vinegar.
"Itis marvellous added to pasta dishes or
to give as gifts or to sell at baraars," Pier-
son.says.
Fibrous begonias grow in both sun and
shade and produce masses of bright blooms
all sununer long in shades of -white, pink and
red.
Remember that the foliage can also be
varied,
Try placing white flowering begonias
(which have brilliant green leaves) against
pink flowering begonias (with their deep
bronze foliage).
Get a head start on spring by getting some
books on containerized gardening from your
public library or bookstore.
Then modify and use these ideas in your
garden.
"You'll have fun,. save oodles on your food
bill and create some beauty around you."
Adding up your heating cost for last winter?
Looking for a better . way to heat
your home? And do you want the
lowest cost air conditioning at the same time?
Get it all with a
WATER FURNACE IS...
•A Heat Pump System
•Uses the energy stored in your backyard -
uses no fuel, the heat in winter, and
cooling in summer, is from the ground
•Energy efficient AIR CONDITIONING at the
flick of a switch
•Easily . adapted to your existing FORCED AIR
heating system. Can be adapted to a
hot water heating system.
•Bonus - can provide up to 80% of your hot water
SYSTEMS
needs.
LET THE GlZO
UND YOU WALK ON HEAT AND COOL YOUR HOME
-CALL YOUR WATER FURNACE SYSTEMS DEALER
Cts three phase
PLUMBING
The Energy
CHRIS MIDDLETON
482-7201
Clin
ELECTRIC
Connection
BARRY BUCHANAN
482-7374
ton
1 Cliff's
Plumbing and Hating
LUCKNOW 528-3913
0
CHECK YOUR SYSTEM...
COMPARE "YOUR" COST PER YEAR TO A WATER FURNACE SYSTEM
SYSTEM
COMPARE EQUIVALENT LOST PER
YEAR
Oil Furnace
Electric Furnace
Gas Furnace
$1090.
$954.
$818.
$1300.
$1145.
$981.
$1524.
$1336.
$1144.
$2400.
$2099. I
$1800.
War
Furnace Systems
$315.
$378•
$440.
$693.
BASED ON 1981 YEAR END PRICES
Cts three phase
PLUMBING
The Energy
CHRIS MIDDLETON
482-7201
Clin
ELECTRIC
Connection
BARRY BUCHANAN
482-7374
ton
1 Cliff's
Plumbing and Hating
LUCKNOW 528-3913
0