The Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-04-14, Page 36r
Pig. 4
BEAUTIFY THOSE BARE SHANKS
Small deciduous trees and Targe shrubs-- those that drop their leaves dur-
ing the winter—can be dressed up with spring blooming flowers, "Phis
young sourwood tree, for example, does not leaf out until late spring.
Thus, its mantle of spring flowers gets all the sun it needs.
.Surrounding the base of the tree
are the orchid•like flowers of
nemesia, blooming in late spring
from fall -sown seeds. Only 8 to 10
in. high, the little plants usher in
the summer with a gorgeous spec-
trum of color before setting seeds
and completing their life cycle.
Frost hardy alyssum, pansy, and
viola are often seeded or grown
from plants around the base of
trees. The new dwarf dianthus
(pinks) and snapdragon will con-
tinue to bloom well into summer.
Shrubs and trees which flower
and leaf out early, forsythia and
flowering quince, for' example,
can also be grown with companion
flowers. At the time you rake and
clean away the winter debris from
shrubs, dig out the grass and work
up the soil for a foot or so beyond
the tips of branches. Very early
sow seeds of frost hardy flowers
such as multicolored annual phlox
in a circle around the perimeter of
the branches. The phlox will come
into bloom at about the time the
shrubs are completing their spring
flower show.
Bare shanks of tall tulips and
daffodils can be covered by early
seedings of low -growing annual
flowers.
Shape -up your hedges
Hedges can be beautiful -
especially when they're thick and
green right to the ground as the
result of regular trimming.
Two of the most common hedge
plants, privet and yew, make
excellent hedges because they
can be renewed very easily, says
R.A. Fleming, a horticulturist
with the Ontario ministry of
agriculture and food.
Lawn seeds abound
Never before has there been
such a wealth of raw materials to
choose from when constructing
a lawn.
Loads of handsome new cul-
tivars have been bred - bluegras-
ses, perennial ryegrass, and fine
fescues galore. And garden cen-
ters sport a wide assortment
of handy aids to make lawn
plantings succeed --tailored fer-
tilizers, safe and 'selective pesti-
cides, easy -to-use equipment,
and much else.
Scale needs c
Lilac, apple, juniper and a
large number of other trees and
shrubs can be infested with a pest
known as "scale," an insect that
sucks the sap of the host, causing
twigs and whole branches to
wither and die. Rut scale can be
brought under control, if your
spray timing is Correct.
"Scale insects, spend most of
their life cycle under a hard
scale, which makes their control
difficult with ordinary garden
pesticides. For a very few days in
May, the crawlers emerge from
under the scale, when they can be
controlled with malathion
sprays. But since the crawler
stage lasts only a few days, it can
be ruissed'easily," says an ex -
It pays -to
fertilize
Because of the limited amount
of soil in the pots of househplants.
the level of plant nutrients can
soon be depleted. For stronger.
larger plants that will flower
better and last longer, it's im-
portant to fertilize houseplants
regularly, states ministry of
agriculture and food hor-
ticulturist, R.F. Gomme.
"Fertilizers are available in
many forms," he says. "Those
such as 5-10.15 and super-
phosphate can be applied when
the soil is being mixed for pot-
ting. For regular feeding, there
are several kinds available,
either as complete plant food or
as liquid concentrates."
Whatever type is used, Mr.
Gomme recommends that indoor
gardeners read and follow the
manufacturer's directions
carefully. A common fault is to
add too strong a fertilizer which
may injure, plants. Many of the
trade -name fertilizer forms can
be diluted with water. The hor-
ticulturist also recommends that
plants be given regular feedings
about every two weeks, rather
than large applications oc-
casionally.
"Privet hedge can be trimmed
back severely tri late winter or
early spring, and within one
season they will return to a sleek,
trimmed condition. The yew is
one of the few evergreens that
will also withstand severe
pruning and recover easily," he
states.
Rejuvenating a privet hedge is
a drastic procedure. Hedge
plants should be cut hard back to
12 to 15 inches from the ground in
the spring before growth starts.
Side branches of the- plants
should also be cut back
proportionately at this time.
The horticulturist says that
new growth will soon appear,'
producing a thicker, vigorous and
more manageable hedge. Proper
watering and fertilization may
also help the development of new
growth.
Study gardening at home
Home gardeners can educate
their green thumbs by enrolling
in the home gardening course
offered by the University of
Guelph.
This home study program is
directed to all types of home
gardeners, says Professor
Harold Crawford of the Office of
Continuing Education.
"The 'course covers ,,a wide
variety of topics including soils,
fertilizers, plant propagation,
vegetable culture, herbs, fruits,
ontrol now
tension horticulturist with the
Ontario ministry of agriculture
and food, D.B. McNeill.
According to" Mr. McNeill the
most effective control for scale is
a dormant oil spray that should
be applied in the spring before
the buds break. This is a special
oil available at any garden
supply store. When applied ac-
cording to the manufacturer's
directions, it can provide ex-
cellent control of scale. _
house plants, trees, shrubs,
lawns, landscape design and pest
control. It is designed to take
about one year, with an average
of one assignment per month.
However, there is no time -limit,"
says Professor Crawford.
Home gardening, first offered
in 1960 through the continuing
education program - at the
University of Guelph, is one Of the
most popular courses. After
successful completion of this non-
credit course, students receive a
"Homo Gardener Certificate."
"Interested people can begin
the home gardening course
anytime during the year. This
year there are 250 students."
The course, which is open to
everyone, is sponsored by the
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
and Food. It costs $30 for Ontario
residents and $50 for out -of -
province residents. Books cost
$20.
For more information about
the course contact the Office of
Continuing Education, Univer-
sity of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
NIG 2W1.
Dahlias: the prima do
Vineland Station -- Front small
pompoms an inch across to giants
up to a foot in diameter, the
Dahlia is a versatile garden
plant. We can buy small plants of
dwarf Unwin hybrid Dahlias for
our annual flower borders, or we
can become specialists, growing
the more exotic forms which
require extra care in feeding,
staking, spraying and disbud-
ding.
Dahlias are usually planted in a
bright, sunny location as rooted
cuttings or as tuberous roots
from which the new young plant
develops. Planting should begin
only after danger of frost is
passed. The soil should be
prepared deeply, manure or
organic matter incorporated as
well as a liberal application of a
good general purpose 'garden
fertilizer such as a'5.10-15 or a 10-
10-10,
Dahlias are heavy feeders and
rapid growers so a rich, friable,
well -drained Boil is
constant supply °f
needed at all times'b,,
moisture for the gro
moisto for the sql;
development. °Ptu
For the tall Uahlia,p'`.'
must and is best
cuttings or tubersB„
For exhibition blopm�a
are removed as thep
a
leaving just one stee;;
Flower buds begintofpr.
one are removed.
For cut flower
color, pinchingsp
Stems in the the tip:'
branchin • . Pnng;e,
f, and multiple`
form, each of which wip
'f towers.
Further information,
can be obtained by sad
Information Brandi?:
Ontario Ministry of
and Food, Parliament
Toronto. Ask for` public
43, Dahlias,
71.
Propagation by cuttings
The houseplant fancier can
propagate many varieties of
geranium, coleus and ivy
whenever suitable growths are
available.
To_ propagate houseplants by
cuttings, use side shoots or tips of
branches three to six inches long.
Remove the lower leaves from
the cuttings to facilitate planting.
Trim the base of each cutting so
the cut is clean and not ragged.
"Cuttings of plants that root
rapidly, such as Wandering Jew
and Coleus, may be set in a glass
of water," says Ontario ministry
of agriculture and food hor-
ticulturist, D.M. Sangster.
''However, most cuttings
produce better roo:ohs in',
sharp sand or in a Pdiat,
asperlite."Keepemoist,but not saturated,notreuseamediumless
been sterilized.
To create a moist aim
around cuttings and
them from wilting, covet"
glass jar or plastic. Re...
covering gradually onq
cuttings begin toroot,
Shade cuttings from
but make sure they have,
indirect light. When roots
to two inches long, tr_.
young plants to smallpott
filled with a suitablepot
overt
and r
an at
80 tr
Garden guide available.
The "1977-1978 Insect and
Disease Control in the Home
Garden" (Publication 64) is now
available from the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and
Food.
This publication, designed for
the home gardener, discusses
both chemical and non -chemical
methods of controlling insects
and diseases on vegetables,
fruits, fruit trees, ornamental
plants and lawns.
Advice is given on the safe use
of pesticides and the time, rate
and method of application,
together with information on
their environmental impact.
Information on treatm
presented in tabular form
the crop or plant, the dis
insect, and the pestis
cultural practice to use.
spray programs are int
apple, pear, peach, p
cherry trees.
This popular publication
in its second edition and'
updated every other year.
are available at a cost of$
from the Information
Ministry of Agriculture
Food, Legislative. B
Queen's Park, Toronto M1
Cheques or money orders
be made payable to
Treasurer of Ontario.
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