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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News-Record, 1987-04-15, Page 30Good tools make your work easier Good tools are a gardener's prized posses- sions. They not only make garden work easier and more efficent, but they are fun to use and will last for years. After you have purchased the basics — rake, spade, shovel, hoe, hand cultivator and trowel — you will probably enjoy some of the other tools that experienced home gardeners and professionals find particular- ly worthwhile. For years many of these were available only to professional gardeners. "Seedling cavity tray" One such aid is a "seedling cavity tray" divided into nearly 200 compartments. The entire tray measures a mere 18 inches square and is ideal for growing large quan- tities of seedlings or cuttings indoors. The self-contained unit eliminates the handling and storing of dozens of small pots, speeds watering, and prevents the toppling and rapid drying out of individual pots. Each small compartment, about three in- ches deep, provides ample space for sturdy - roots. The top of each compartment is one inch square, sufficient for one seedling or cutting to grow until time comes for transplanting. Advent of spring When the; weather warms in spring and frost danger has passed, place the tray out- doors during the day to "harden off" the seedlings or rooted cuttings. They will then be ready to be planted in the garden. Just press the tapered sides of the cavity to remove each seedling without disturbing the roots. This gentle handling enables plants to become established quick- ly outdoors without setback. Seeds and cuttings will germinate or root more quickly if the propagating medium is about 10 degrees F. atmosphere. The temperature of the medium can be regulated by means of a propagating mat. The waterproof mat is made of heavy rub- ber which, when attached to an adjustable thermostat, heats up to temperatures rang- ing from 40 degrees F. to I00 degrees F. Sowing instructions Seed trays, flower pots and other con- tainers are placed on top of the mat and their contents are warmed to the selected temperature. Gardeners who have found certain plants difficult to propagate have seen such a mat work wonders. Along the same line, seed packet instruc- tions often tell you to sow the seeds outdoors when the soil warms to a specific temperature. warmer than the Prune to improve plants There is no ideal time to prune all plants — that's what makes pruning such a tricky chore, says Master- Gardener -in -Training Connie Vermeulen of Woodslee, Ont. Master Gardeners are gardening en- thusiasts who have received formal hor- ticultural training through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's Master Gardener program. Once trained, Master Gardeners are available to answer questions from the public. Trees and shrubs, grown for their blooms in spring and early summer, should be prun- ed after they have bloomed. On the other hand, late -flowering shrubs that flower on the current season's growth should be pruned in the spring, prior to ac- tive growth. Fruit trees are pruned prior to leafing out in early spring. Mature trees should be thinned out to pre- vent crowding, ensure free air circulation and penetration of light to help fruit ripen evenly. Remove branithes that grow inwards and those that are in contact — rubbing and wearing each other. This allows the tree to grow to the outside I and upwards, where it will be exposed to the maximum amount of light. On young fruit trees, cut lateral branches back to within 50 centimetres to 60 cen- timetres of the trunk to encourage bran- ching. The tip of the leader branch should be cut back only slightly. "Leave no more than four well-placed branches when pruning a young fruit tree," she said. Deciduous trees need to be pruned every three to five years. Remove dead and/or diseased branches:' and prune to restore the plant's natural] form. Evergreens usually require little or no pruning at all. They may be pruned, if necessary, jus; prior to active growth in April and May. Junipers and yews that have a tendency to spread, may be cut back just prior to active growth in June. Hide the cut by pruning at an overlapping branch. As with any gardening job, the right tools make the job a lot easier, she said. A sharp pruning saw is required for the larger cuts and will do a better job for any size of cut than even the best pruning shears. So, use a pruning saw wherever possible. Good quality hand pruners may be useo too, but avoid long -handled pruners because they tend to leave stubs. The key to pruning is to make clean, flush cuts. Find the branch "collar" — the tissue separating the branch from the main stern — and place your saw in front of the ridge and cut downward and slightly outward. This will allow you to remove the branch without damaging the main stem. And by leaving the "collar", there is less chance of infection. Pruning paint has been found to be of no benefit to the process of wound closure. But if you wish, you may apply a thin coat of a commercial material to wounds that are more than four cm in diameter. Apply the wound paint only to the wound; painting the bark all around the trunk can kill the tree. ASSOCIATE STORE TED O'NEILL LIMITED HURON RD. GODERICH 524-2121 OPEN 9-9 THURS. & FRI. VISIT CANADIAN TIRE GOD'RICH GARDEN CENTRE For Full Value from Your Gardening Dollar! 10 -hp lawn tractor. Powered Dy a 4-CyCte Tecumseh engine win 5 -speed lransaxte drive and ateciric start Twin 17 olades cut 34 swath with side-dtscnarge 5 -position cutting neigh' adtusiment 60-1821.8—Ourcx •atw steering 1749.99 12 -hp tractor 199I.'.!9 18 -hp tractor 49:199 12 -hp lawn tractor with tuteetlicient nigh-pertOrmanCe Tecumseh XL Overhead valve engine Features electronic nort remote Choke 6 -speed transaxle drive and 4 -position steer- ing column HIGH VACUUM 38 side -discharge deep deco nas a special vacuum uh Dlade to increase air Sow to superior grass collection and election 60-1824-0-1 gal /vel capacity 1999.99 Shown with optional 60-6465-4 16 -hp lawn tractor. Powered oy a 8n9gs d Stratton n duslnaUCOmmerclal twin-cyclmder engine Witn 12 von alter nalOrrstaner 8 -speed Iransaxle drive 44 side discharge deck 5•DOsition cutting negro adjustment quick adjust anti -scalp deck wheels Also ,ncludes clutcnrbrake pedal disciparking and hill holder Drake 60-1826-6-2 gal 'ueI caDacily 2899 99 Versatile 18 -hp garden tractor Our Desr AI.ePts.1'..il •ange of ground -engaging attachments no„d ng a 'Ale, 7100 snowtnrowe' and narrow Powered t„ a eggs 6 SI'a'10n .n dusuialiCommerc'aI twin c,Clmder enq rte 4 speed ,,ansaxle drive electronic .gnaion d,sc.oark,ng end nd1 nolle' Dra•e 't'1 side discharge deck 5 position culling neigrit atlw4lrnent 3 tiara fin 7lades .10d luck adiusl ant. scant .^ • wheels 80-18274-2 5 gal turn capacay 3499 99 2 -Year L'a oted Warranty ON MTD 12, 16 and 18- hp tractors. For 2 years from purcnese date we wilt replace and ,nstall FREE OF CHARGE any .awn "actor or engine part found to be detective in workmanship or material Warranty limited to 30 days on 'enlaUcomme,cial . se Warranty .5 void 1 .n.i nay Deen su018Ct to misuse