Clinton News-Record, 1983-04-27, Page 42C:.ftor se
4;
with geraniums
The secret to growing
fruits and vegetables
without chemicals is to feed
the soil, not the plants, says
Doug Green, program co-
ordinator at Kemptville Col-
lege of Agricultural
Technology and a commer-
cial greenhouse operator.
Good gardening soil is one
in which micro-organisms
and worms thrive. To enrich
the soil, home gardeners can
add a layer of manure or
compost ( decomposed
organic matter such as
leaves) every spring.
"It takes a few years to get
good healthy soil - so have
patience. As your soil im-
proves, so will your plants
and yields."
Weeds are a problem in
most gardens. But early and
persistent cultivation will
kill most weeds, Green says.
Some gardeners spread very
deep layers of mulch
leaves, old newspapers
around their plants to keep
the weeds down and retain
soil moisture. Green says
this further enriches the soil
because the mulch partially
rots over the winter.
Many organic gardeners
have devised creative ways
to control insect problems
without chemical sprays,
Green says. Some grow a
few extra plants so losses
will be unnoticed. Others use
herbs and companion plants
to enhance the growth of
plants nearby
Many gardening
magazines list companion
plant combinations. One
common combination is a
planting of marigolds, basil
and tomatoes in the same
aea. Green says the basil
helps the tomatoes grow and
the marigolds repel
nematodes and tomato horn -
worms.
Organic gardeners have
also invented special sprays
to control insects. Combina-
tions of hot peppers, garlic,
soap and dead insects are
often suggested in gardening
columns, Green says.
Bacillus Thuringiensis is a
bacteria that is very effec-
tive for killing caterpillars
and potato beetles. Used on
broccoli, cauliflower aid
cabbage, it ensures there
will be no "surprises" in the
cooking pot. Follow the
directions and use it at the
recommended times.
"The majority of insects in
the garden are actually help-
ing you. Learn to recognize
these predators and don't
spray with this bacteria until
you know what you are try-
ing to kill. In most gardens
beneficial predators will
control the "bad" bugs;
selected handpicking or
organic controls will catch
the rest."
Growing your own food
organically is possible. By
doing so, you work closely
with nature and learn what
really goes on in the crowded
Life cycles of your garden.
Late harvest
vegetables
Extend your supply of
fresh garden vegetables this
summer by planting a se-
cond crop of carrots, beets,
beans and lettuce in late
June for a late August
harvest.
Dicknow was thinking spring in a big way on April 8, 9 and 10 when the Lai -know Lions Club sponsored a Home and
Garden Show. Local businesses had an opportunity to show their latest spring wares and green taffibers picked up
ideas for bigger and better season. (Sharon Dietz photo)
inriched soil for organic success
Red geraniums now have
some competition. There is a
variety of new bright colors
available as started plants
this spring from your garden
supplier. Now rose, salmon,
white, pink and bicolored
blooms appear on these
favorite garden flowers.
These new rainbow -hued
introductions have more
than a new color to recom-
mend them. Many have been
started from seed, rather
than the traditional method
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of vegetative cuttings. The
seed -started hybrids bring a
new measure of stalwart,
all -summer performance to
the garden setting.
The increased sales of
geraniums other than red
are primarily a result of
America's new found in-
terest in natural -sided and
earth -toned homes. While
the traditional red geranium
does look fine against a
traditional white setting, the
newer colors provide a more
effective contrast.
The most popular runner
up to red in geraniums is
salmon. Each year more and
more salmon -colored
blossoms appear in the land-
scape. 1981 brings the
brightest salmon to date,
Cameo. This large -flowered
hybrid, available from
garden centres as started
cuttings, will produce its
bright blooms from planting
to frost while vegetatively -
produced geraniums will
slow down by mid season.
Bicolored geraniums can
even satisfy the red fancier.
There's lots of contrast when
red and white appear in the
same bloom. New Razz-
mata+z7 sports this combina-
tion and will be most
welcome change in window
boxes and planting areas.
There is a new rose-
coloured variety with
bicolored beauty. Deep Rose
Flash hybrid's white eye will
Turn to page 18 e
Jack Gerrits
Construction Limited
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