The Rural Voice, 1999-11, Page 30t u's next issue id 044
.2leeetniee
C&riatfnaa �adue
gleadtine Pax titia
iaaue is
,N,auentl e, 10199
BEST DEAL EVER
START CHOICE
Elevate Your Expectations
i
Digital Satellite Television
or
$1117$Imth.
for 36 months
plus
$100 credit
Taxes down on
your
MODERN
CARD
$399.00 401
Base H Receiver
_
$ 1 00 4° Instant Rebate
- $10V Programming
Credit
$199•QQ Effective After
Credit Price
BUY A 2ND RECEIVER WITH
ABOVE OFFER
for $34994
- $15044 Instant Rebate
only s 199.0
Access to 180+
Channels =MUM
YOU SAVE $398. ON THIS DEAL*
30 Day risk free guarantee
HDTV: High Definition TV
this Fall!
Crystal Clear Digital Video
• Dolby Digital AC -3 5.1 Surround
Sound Capable
• Surf while you watch feature
* 1 DISH, 2 RECEIVERS INC.
Installation, wiring, and dual LNB, extra cost.
CD/ ni/ ,'L Uhl
APPLIANCES & ELECTRONICS
871 10th St. E.
(across from Zellers)
HANOVER 364-1011
102 Main St. E.
LISTOWEL
291-4670
26 THE RURAL VOICE
Gardening
Last month for great nursery deals
By Rhea Hamilton -Seeger
The cool weather has finally
settled in and like a few others I am
charging around the garden putting
away the last of the lawn chairs, the
garden fork left in the garden when 1
dug up the last potato and winding
up the hose to hang in the barn.
On the patio are a few potted
treasures I purchased during the
summer still waiting to be planted.
New plants should be planted as soon
as they're brought home but there are
occasions when you get sidetracked
by other events and you end up
watering the pots of new plants
wherever you have plopped them.
But do not despair, the weather is.on
our side. November is about the last
month that you can successfully plant
shrubs, trees and woody vines before
the ground freezes.
The conditions of warm soil
coupled with increased precipitation
are ideal for root development. The
cooler weather and reduced light
intensity help prevent foliar stress
caused by roots that aren't able to
supply enough moisture or nutrients
to support the plant.
You can take advantage of the
sales on at the nurseries. Look for
healthy plants that are disease and
bug free. Steer clear of broadleaf
evergreens, like rhododendrons, and
tender perennials. And don't be
fooled into buying an exotic or a
plant that is borderline for the
temperature zone you live in. Leave
these for the spring planting.
When you transport your tree or
shrub make sure it is carefully
wrapped in burlap or in a tarp with
the branches tied up to avoid wind
damage if travelling in an open
vehicle.
Once home take the time to plant
it right. A little time now pays off big
in the spring. I heard a wonderful
saying; "dig a $10 hole for a five
dollar plant". In other words, dig a
hole twice as wide as the root ball or
container and no deeper than the
plant is currently growing in its
container.
Research your plant and amend
the soil for its conditions. A good
rule of thumb is to mix half of the
topsoil removed front the hole with
peat moss, compost or leaf mold.
Adding a handful of bone meal to
your mixture will encourage root
growth. Remove the burlap ball and
any twine or wire around the stem or
trunk.
Before planting, check the root ball.
If it has been in its container all
summer it may be root bound and
need a little coaxing to stretch out the
roots. Trim any broken roots and set
carefully into your prepared spot. As
you backfill, tamp down the soil
carefully but firmly to avoid air
pockets, and water well. Don't forget
to create a well or saucer around the
top to keep the water from running
off too quickly. Mulch,Iightly to
retain the moisture and keep some of
the last of the late fall heat in.
Don't be afraid to pick up the
nippers and trim any broken
branches. If you have moved the tree
or shrub from one spot to another in
your garden it will be necessary to
trim back one third of the top growth
to compensate for the roots damaged
or trimmed with the move. I know I
have a very hard time with the first
cut on a shrub or tree but it really
does the plant a world of good to
keep it tidy and trimmed. Container
grown plants are already trimmed and
the roots suffer less damage when
planted. Put away your tree wound
paints, you won't need them.
As the weather gets colder take the
time to keep your new plants
watered. If you have less than one
inch of rain per week you will
probably have to water. You can feel
the soil below the mulch to see if the
plant needs watering.
These new trees and shrubs may
need to be sheltered if exposed to
harsh winter winds. The smaller
shrubs can be covered with some
evergreen boughs, wooden slats or
snow fence to reduce wind damage
and avoid tips and buds from drying
out. Trees larger than four inches in
diameter should be staked if in a
windy site.
Now all you have to do is wait
until spring. How easy can that be?0
Rhea Hamilton -Seeger and her
husband raise two children at their
home near Auburn. She is a skilled
cook and gardener.
1