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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1974-05-09, Page 29.n 47, How to Prepare The trio Q9oue«<h a ; �A{� SIGNAL -S THURSDA1f. MAY 9, 974 tawnEor'Si'm111C1! available in many. centers 'Sometimes cultivation of a soil- settle. Powered thinning machines' - available i ayw gardennh enters bed" early in the year is difficult can often be rented to accomplish - are( typical a mulchesnd encourage quick because the ground is so wet. Yet, this fairly easily. seedbeds are. generally more satis- with crev- sprouting.seed` '• should be factory if plowed, .diseed, or. rotary tilled than if left uncultivated. Try to take advantage of a dry spell 'for preparing the soil, mixing in fertilizer at the same time. - At least scuff the soil surface on a reasonably dry day, making scratch. marks into which seed can A' chunky soil surface ices into which seed can settle is spread Uniformly before the mulch ideal. It will accept rain rather than is applied. causing it to run off. A mulch gives Bluegrass -fescue seed`�•b1ends or added protection against seed and ueg soil wash.. those containing perennial'ryegrass• ,, are- typically sowed about three 'Straw a few straws deep, -"excel- pounds to the thousand square sior matting, or burlap netting& feet, colonial bentgrasses at about S d distributed Tree Protection Checklist Now we are in the season when insect -control factor. Attract thein our trees -give us their greatest rewards --;--in beauty, shade, air purification, noise''a°batement, cool- ing. But this is also the season when enemies are most likely to attack, so the American Association of. Nurserymen suggests 'this simple five -point checklist of simple steps to provide protection. A . One. Keep your trees well watered if rainfall isn't sufficient. Two. Remove any dead. trees or neighbors g to spray when you do for harmful insects. nei because insects can leave for awhile Three. ' Birds.. provide a major then return.) to your. tree environment with feed- • ers and water..create your own wildlife sanctuary. Four. Be alertfor .symptotfns of ,• trouble—tiny holes in the trunk that indicate the presence of borers, or spots or holes on the leaves left by insects of disease._ half this rate ee is Five. If you're going to spray -to prevent or eliminate insects, get professional advice and follow directions on the label of whatever limbs.that may provide a hideaway material you use. (Try to get your YouiYard In Springtime • most accurately with &lawn spread- er. The cyclone type casts seed in a wide arc and covers ground fastest After seeding is completed "all systems should be go." In spring nature is almost always charitable, with, enough warmth and mois! ture to trigger vigorous sprouting. But if rains fail, you will have to water Watering is best done lightly and ,frequently until the grass is up, _after' which it can taller .off as /lie seedlings root more- deeply. Some • A r. weeds may appear from seed in' the soil. Most of these need not prove worrisome,:because they will disap- .pear after mowing begins: Others can be cleaned up with weed killers later, after .th'e • turf "has had a mowing or two. Use 2, 4-D combinations for broadleaf. , (i.e. ,non -grassy) weeds, and perhaps a crabgrass preventer. Mowing should start when young turf reaches about half again what will' . be its customary .mo t1ng height. Now is a good time to add flow- Place the plant in the center of. ering shrubs to your landscape, and , the hole, making sure it is straight there's a myriad variety to choose and held at the proper depth while from in colors, flowers, ' textures, you backfill.the hole with the soil form, and foliage. Plan them as a mixture, packing firmly around the hedge, windbreak, screen, or a ° roots as you go. (If the shrub is changing focal point in your lawn balled, cut the string around the or garden. - burlap and let the burlap fall away Choose the location and the effect r from h b 11 P k the you want, then check the condi- tions—sunny or shade, hot or cool, soil well -drained • or dry,.sandy, loamy or clay. ,Then let your nur- sery . garden center or mail-order nurseryman help .you select the' specific shrubs that will best serve your purposes and conditions. Once those selections have been made, these planting suggestions from the American Association of Nurserymen . will help make your placetnent of the plants simple and successful. - If you have decided on bare root plants (instead of container -grown), soak them in water shortly before planting. Clip away any dead or broken branches, flos'ers or roots. The hole for planting should be large enough to allow the roots plen- ty of room to spread out naturally, d h to allow the shrub to the topof t e a ac THE OTHER HALF. Good grass is the "other half" of, soil around the ball. The burlap will rot away later.) - your landscaping. Without .a lawn for their backdrop, The ficial planting step is to water flower beds would,,. hardly be a satisfaction. • Multicolored flowers are displayed to their best when contrasted -with the vivid green of a healthy lawn. thoroughly,making sure the rootsbecome soaked.Later, flowering set Beauttiu h b will require a thorough ' ► U Y.ui., Lrxwn? s ru s soaking every week .to ten days if ;, :4 requirements pf virtually any plant, fertilizers are marketed in corn - there has not been a good rainfall To have a good lawn and home sol type and climate, Fertilizers bination with an herbicide, insecti during that period. landscape `requires, first of all, a YP have been capsulized for precise ride or fungicide. For' these prod - A mulch of organic materials desire fort -beautiful surroundings• feedings of house plants, coated ucts, instructions for use are based such as leaves, compost, straw Without this desire there is' little for timed soil release, and placed in on correct amounts of material -or hay, grass clippings, • sawdust likelihood of • success, because .solution for rapid liquid br foliar ,.,needed for full plant protection, "as' or woodchips will help keep moil- getting and keeping high-quality feedin well, as /hat needed to maintain ture in the soil; reduce weeds and turf means a willingness to care for In short, there ate- many differ- .healthy 'growth. Such combination add nutrients for healthy growth• it, feed it regularly and mow and ent, specially formulated fertilizers products are a convenience tb the Spread the mulch about two to three 'water properly, notes the Fertilizer on today's lawn and garden market home owner and present a safe and inches deep around the base of Institute. that will result in a more beautiful effective way of application with the shrub extending beyond the An attractive, landscape • also f best -suited landscape •for any home. perimeter•of the lower branches: proper shrub placement and care. fertilizer manufacturer will means selection o The product of any reputable ornamentals and shrubbery, and be accompanied by direction's on how Well -landscaped grounds with to use.the material for best 'results, cep enough Darns-ged portions of a lawn Directions are usually given -as to set about an inch below its previous should be spot -seeded early to make healthy green turf meads >-added home value, as well as satisfaction. !amount to apply and how often. soil line. With balled or container- the spring growing season' as On the other hand, just one or two "' `� ` grown shrubs, the hole should be lengthy. as possible. Seeding grass For lawns, the instruction, nearly about 50 -percent wider and just on frost -pitted soil is often effec- unattended, run-down lawns in the • always are in terms of pound, of the tive. neighborhood detracts ` "from the fertilizer material to use per 1,000 slightly deeper than the ball ' soils, unworkable value of all the homes nearby. Mix the, removed soil with peat But sloppy square feet of lawn area. Or. if the moss or .-'other organic material. as they thaw, make a poor seedbed. , Developments in lawn and orna• fertilizer applied as a liquid, fthe ,�'g directions will tell the amount to use i This is soilparticularlyclay important sndy.) Wait aits surface can be scratched boas ed vigor tand disease resistance per gallon of water. if your is clay or sandy.) so thatToday, many lawn and garden Sprinkle the bottom of the hole with with a rake, loosening the soil 'while "specialty" fertilizer products p the same material. enough to catch the glass seed. have been formulated to fit the Spring Seeding minimum chance of home owner error. You can rely on reputable lawn and garden centers for latest infor: mation and recommendations on plant and lawn care. • In many instances, your local county extension office, a branch of the state agricultural university and Department of Agriculture, have agents with special training in (horticulture. These authorities ' are fully qualified and ready to ad- vise home owners on lawn and plant care, soil testing, home landscaping and other gardening questiattts.