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The Huron Expositor, 1997-04-16, Page 22EDWARD PG. 6 -HOME & GARDEN GUIDE COMPOSTING GAINING POPULARITY Leaves, clippings become 'black gold' Backyard composting used to be practiced by only a handful of homeowners who knew the secrets for turning leaves and grass clippings into "black gold." But no more. Now there are "recipes" and "cookware" that ease the task and produce better compost for use around the yard and garden. . This season, a new recipe and system gaining favor is to use Canadian sphagnum peat mbss in the compost bin, particularly if you compost kitchen waste, and to add accelerators to sliced the decomposition, or "cooking," process. New composting bins ease the job, with features like expanded vents to maintain the proper air balance and turning slots which let you. turn the material with a pitchfork without mess or bother. Peat moss is excellent for mak- ing compost when you use kitchen garbage. Adding the peat moss gives you a good final prod- uct and eliminates odor problems from the compost. The peat moss serves a dual purpose. Because it grabs and holds up to 20 times its weight in water, it helps the compost to maintain the proper moisture bal- ance for the decomposition process. And once you've pro- duced compost, adding more peat moss extends the material you have to spread on gardens and planting beds. Furthermore, peat moss is a plentiful natural resource. More than 10 times the amount of peat moss forms on Canada's 270 mil- lion acres of peatlands each year than is harvested. Mixing Canadian sphagnum peat moss with your compost helps maximize the "cooking" process, and also extends the compost — giving you more material to spread on flower beds and gardens. INNOVATIVE LOW COST HEATING & COOLING SOLUTIONS See us at the Goderich Home & Garden Show April 18, 19 & 20! ShellQh�1 FUELS' Residential -- Commercial - Farm CLINTON GODERICH TEESWATER 482-7381 524-8386 392-6100 7, Age shouldn't deter gardeners Physical disabilities and old age shouldn't stop gardeners from enjoying their favorite hobby. Many tools are available today to help people who can't kneel for a Jong period of time. For gardeners who use walk- ers, a bicycle basket attached to the front of the walker makes an excellent place to carry tools and harvested vegetables. A long -handled bulb planter is also handy for planting tomato plants and flowers. This type of planter enables the gardener to operate it from a standing posi- tion. A short -handled bulb planter works, too, but requires kneeling. A rowseeder also eliminates excessive bending. Simply push the machine along each row, and it drops seed at precise intervals. Long -handled tools can also aid in weeding. An oscillating or action hoe has blades . that move back and forth against the weed. Another hoe has rotating spikes that till the ground between plant rows, and anoth- er pops weeds up when the tool is inserted at the stem with foot pressure. Check with your local gardening centre for these tools. If you don't want to give up the kneeling method of weed- ing, try wearing knee pads or using a kneeling cushion. Sitting on a stool also makes getting up easier for gardeners. tr Ir USE THIES C©UIPOM IIOILOO OFF ,Qu CARPET CLEANING R011444444 OVER '75.00! Call GAVIN'S CARPET CARE today to book one of Huron County's most recommended Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning firms Example: 12 x 24 - 288 sq. 0. x 27' -'77.67 less 15% -'66.10 + G.S.T = '70 73 Coupon must be presented at time of cleaning. Coupon may not be used in conjunction with any other discounts. Offer expires May 31. 1997 — We do not tglephone soliGt 9 ( Cleaning & Restoration Services 524-2440 or 1-800-450-4333 186 Rich Street, Goderich 'We Do Not Telephone Solicit