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Clinton News-Record, 1985-4-17, Page 38Every good gardener should embark on his or her journey with a shovel, rake, hoe and a few good seed catalogs. These colorful editions will lift your spirits in winter, give you endless good ideas on planting and offer just about all the information you'll need to know. Early season cold -tolerant plants such as pansies and peas can go into the ground as soon as it's workable, but save warm season varieties such as tomatoes and impatien - until danger of frost is past and soil is warm frost -zone chart is the best source, found in most seed catalogs and in garden centers). A trip to your nearby garden center will leave you brimming with dozens of new and helpful facts and inspiration galore. Keep your eyes open for posters and signs right along with the bedding plant displays. Plant labels, usually stuck into every pot and pack, are good information sources, too. And if you still have a question in the back of your mind, speak right up. Garden center personnel know just how mind-boggling the task of planting can be, especially for a first -timer. They are more than willing to patiently aid in your selection. WHAT TO BUY Choose Fl hybrids where given a choice. They provide hybrid vigor which brings more and bigger flowers, improved disease -resis- tance and other attributes which assure you of greater satisfaction all' summer long. Such hybrids as 'Cascade' petunias or 'Champion' tomatoes are a far cry from their pioneering forebears. Be sure to buy only healthy, compact transplants -- avoid stretched, leggy offer- ings. And be patient in your search -- a. tender, young "greenie" will give you better results in the long run than that tempting plant that is already showing its colors. Prepare and waterthe soil ahead of time, whether you've planted in a pot or bed. and cultivate the soil, adding a welcome many times necessary) dose of organic matter like peat moss, leaf mold or homemade compost. Then figure out how far apart to dig planting holes -- your seed catalogs will come in handy here again! If you plant from flats, pull the plants apart gently. Don't squeeze the soil or you will compact it and trap the roots inside. Plants in pots or packs should be removed one by one to avoid drying out. Set each plant into its planting hole -- just a little bigger than the root ball - and firm the soil gently around by hand to remove the air pockets. Water generously. After the soil settles below ground level, add enough dry soil to even out the plantings. Some plants recover remarkably from an oversight in watering; others can be set back badly. For best results, a deep soaking is far better than frequent light -waterings. A good rule of thumb: when you water, water 'well, and let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Get after weeds, too. They'll rob plants of precious sunlight,' water and soil nutrients. In general, most garden plants can get by without fertilizers, especially flowers..Pre- conditioning the soil with organic matter is a big step in the right direction. For season - long maintenance, a good, all-purpose fertilizer will specify • 10-10-10 .or 5 -10-10 (percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in that order) on its label. WHATTOGROW . Where, oh where, should the beginner begin amidst such a bounty of fruits and vegetables? The list of ,can't -miss choices is long enough t� let you have the final say. Planting sun -worshipping plants in the shade and shade -lovers in the sun is a common beginner's error, so look before you leap. (Continued on Page 8) Guidelines help growing season If you've decided to take the plunge into the world of gardening, congratulations on joining the millions of other people across the country who grow for recreation, for beautiful display and for the edible harvest. Just a few basic guidelines will launch you well on your way to a healthy, happy growing season. W HERE TO GRO W W hen the urge comes to plant - there is always somewhere to plant! Outdoor beds are the most popular... but even a lack of ground space needn't hamper you. Try hanging baskets -- plastic and wood containers -- small borders or edgings - - window boxes.. let your imagination run wild. Even a single bag of commercial soil mix is ideal used as a "pillow planter". Just cut slits in the top and sides of the bag and plant. Soon you'll be the proud owner of a veritable mass of blooms or an edible garden that's easy to move from place to place. If you do have the room to start your garden in a bed -- start small. Many a first-time gardener has started out encouraged, but had his spirits dampened by the overwhelming responsibility of a large plot. A 15 by 25 -foot bed is very adequate tor a full-blown vegetable garden, given an efficient layout. Almost every vegetable is a sun -worship- per, demanding six or more hours of full sun each day for a bountiful harvest. An abundance of shade? Don't lose heart -- there are a multitude of shade -loving flowers to fit your needs...and leafy vegetables such as lettuce will give you a harvest if there's even a bit of sun. A variety of vegetables are quite adaptable for container growing where you do have sun. RE -OPENING FridayApril26th, for another season of sales & service of quality Sawn & garden products. MAKEYOURYARD OR GARDENAND�D THEN LIGHT IT UP! SHOWPLACE.. For your garden we suggest:, VEGETABLES: vegetable seeds asparagus crowns tomato plants bedding plants for vegetable gardens So -Green Garden Magic Fertilizer 4 - 10 • 12 FLOWERS • annuals • biennials • ground covers • perennials • bulb -gladiola * Potted Rose Bushes -climbing roses -Hybrid Tea -floribunda FRUITS Small Bushes •strawberries • raspberries •bi'ueberries •gooseberries •red & black currants TREES. •apple -•peach •.apricot •pear • cherry For your yard we suggest: Fertilizers Lawn grass seed Chemicals Weed -N -Feed Killex So -Green Lawn Pro Nursery Stock •evergreens •flowering shrubs •ornamental & shade trees EARLY rift,o 'BIRDof uelected'nursery SiP '. IAL :. stock SATISFACTION GUARANTEED martin's market 524-8024 miles east of Benmiller Rd. on Highway No. 8 After you've spent the time and effort on making your lawn & garden look so good, SHOW IT OFF! Light up your yard in the evening with Landscape Lighting -Canadian made -Economical to run -Anyone can install their own (no electrical expertise needed) Constructed of quality aluminum. In - Ground mounting, single stem, single or -double side. Start with one and add-on easily. ALL YOU NEED IS: -a 12 volt transformer -the lights themselves •wiring cable (sold by the metre) FREE CABLE with any order taken between now and Mother's Day.