The Rural Voice, 1979-07, Page 46lines are true to type from seed, but they
may not have all the characteristics of a
good garden geranium, and they will
probably lack vigor.
The seed produced from crossing these
two lines will develop into plants which are
all alike, and which have the desirable
geranium characteristics.
If these hybrid plants are self -pollinated,
and the seed is used for the production of
next season's plants, they will vary in
color, growth habit, flowering ability, and
in many other characteristics. They will be
interesting to a plant breeder, but of little
value for decorative purposes in the
garden.
Plastic film
makes best mulch
Polyethylene film, used as a mulch in the
home garden, can reduce the time, effort,
and cost of garden maintenance.
A mulch is a material, applied to the soil
surface, that influences the soil environ-
ment in a manner that enhances the growth
and development of a crop.
There are many advantages to mulching
vegetables with polyethylene film. Mulch-
ing can result in increases in early and total
yields, earlier maturity, weed control,
moisture conservation, reduction in fertil-
izer leaching, less soil compaction, and less
root pruning.
Many crops, such as tomatoes, peppers,
eggplants, squash, watermelons, musk-
melons, cucumbers, beans, sweet corn,
spinach, onions, and cabbage, respond
well to polyethylene mulch.
Three types of polyethylene film are
available for use as mulch - clear, black and
brown. The brown and black mulches
control weeds. To date, only the brown film
is photodegradable. It breaks down at the
harvest time of many crops, so it does not
have to be removed from the garden.
However, clear and black films must be
removed from the garden after harvest.
If mulch film is not available, green, blue
or black garbage bags can be split, and
used in single layers for small areas.
Mulch is applied to the soil after the
fertilizer is applied, and the soil is tilled
and ready for seeding.
To lay the mulch, anchor one end of the
roll with soil, and then roll the film over the
row. Dig the soil 10-13 cm below each edge
of the film, so the edge of the mulch will be
above the dug area. Place the soil removed
from under the mulch, on top of the edge of
the mulch. This forces the mulch down
into the dug area and anchors it. Mulch for
the whole row can be laid in this manner.
You can also cover the entire garden with
film.
Transplants or seeds are planted
through holes punched in the film. The
holes can be made with a sharp trowel or
shovel.
The mulched crop can be watered the
same way one normally waters a garden,
with sprinklers or through plastic irrigation
tubes under the mulch.
Growing plants with plastic mulch
accelerates crop maturity, and reduces
garden maintenance. It also permits the
production of later maturity varieties and
crops, in areas where the season is usually
too short.
Remove spent blooms
Spent blooms detract from the attrac-
tiveness of the flower bed, and also sap
energy from the plant. Remove spent
blooms to encourage new blooms.
LOWRY
Look neighbour ... it's
MORE THAN A FAN
Butler® _
All -Season® Ventilation System
controls condensation, odors,
drafts. Air intake, exhaust,
and circulation are automatic.
But don't take our word for it.
Ask a neighbour who owns Butler.
FARM SYSTEMS
R.R.1, Kincardine, Ontario
at Amberley
395-5286
PG. 44 THE RURAL VOICE/JULY 1979