The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-04-26, Page 44Proper pruning in the spring encourages strong, healthy growth. Roses should be cut back
to three to five strong stems, with two or three buds per stem. (Photo by the Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food)
Dandelions never marry
The jagged, irregular leaves of
a common yellow -flowered weed
insi. ired its popular name, 'tooth
of the lion'. This name has come
down to us from the French
version (dent de lion) and% we
know it as the dandelion. .
Its most unusual biological
feature, however, is not its
leaves, but its ability to
reproduce by the plant equivalent
of a virgin birth. This widespread
pest of lawns and gardens, known
to scientists as Taraxacum of-
ficinale agg., produces viable
seeds without any fe.•tilization.
Although the plant blooms
abundantly and the flowers
.usually produce nectar and
pollen, pollination A is Trot
necessary• for 'seed production.
The ovules simply grow and
produce . see.ds without far;
tilization.
This unusual mechanism -
found in a few other plants -
allows the dandelion to spread
quickly.. Even one plant in a new
area can soon produce a whole
bed of yellow flowers.
'Over • the tong run
•. hov ever: --
this reproductive method may
prove detrimental to the species.'
Because each plant is identical in
every respect to the parent plant,
it has a decreased ability (o
evolve," says John McNeill, an
Agriculture- Canada wird
specialist.
"The common dandelicer• is
really a complex.; numb( r of
distinct strains that some
botanists even treat as se• orate•
species. -�
The weedy dandelior is not
native to North Arneri A. It is
believed to have been it roduced
as seed by early Eur ;lean ex-
plorers. sometime in the
Seventeenth century With no
natural enemies • spread
rapidly.
There are natis• dandelion
species but the:. arr : ;und only in
the north ,of Cana; A and do not
pose any problem tr, lawns and
gardens.
"interestingly. many of these
native dandelio• - produce their
seed by the re rrnal pn!iinzt.nr
and fert•ilizatie : processes, Dr.
McNeill says.
There are several safe. ef-
fective he. bicide products
available to the homeowner for
dandelion control.
As a broad -leafed plant. the
dandelion is susceptible to most
broad -leaf weed killers. Many
herbicide products containing
2,4-D have been especially for -
I
DIGr
_GASD G
mulated for use by the
homeowner,
These should be applied using a
propel applicator and following
the instructions on the label.
Treat early, before seeds have
formed and apply the weed -killer
carefully to prevent any
For healthy- rose
chemical drift onto. flowers,
shrubs, fruits or vegetables
which could be severely injured.
Digging out the plant is not.
usually an effective means of
control. Ary small piece of root
left in the ground -will produce a
new plant.
Care very important
Early pruning and fertilizing
are important if you want at-
tractive and healthy roses, says
Theo Blom. Ontario Ministry of
`Agriculture and Food hor-
ticulturist. •
''Roses should be pruned each
spring .before. the bushes leaf out •
to help maintain the quality and
overall appearance of the plants.
Although each plant should'be
pruned to its habit and amount of
growth, Mr. Bloni says there are
some general guidelines.
Wait until the buds.•start to
s t.-ti--sn -yrm —ran --dcteT11rin'e
which branches are alive and
which are dead.
Don't cut below last year's
pruning. If you do; you weaken
the plant and the new shoots
won't be strong.
If the rose bushes are new and
this.._is their first pruning, prune
them about 20 to 30 centimetres
(8 to 12 inches J'above the ground.
In subsequent years, prune a bit
higher and remove all dead wood
and weak, twiggy growth.
It is important to prune
climbing roses according to their
growth habits. Cut off the thin
branches so the plant does not
have too many blind•shopts,
Established roses will benefit if
fertilizer is applied during the
growing season, Mr. Blom
recommends 'three applications
of balanced fertilizer in mid May,
June and August.
Apply fertilizer to the soil
surface near the prah-is; then rake
or dig it under. A rate of 1/2' to 1
kilogram (I to 2 pounds) of fer-
tilizer'for each 9 square metres
(100 square feet) or rose garden
is recommended.
Fertilizer formulas for roses
are available at garden centres,
but you can apply the general
..purpose fertilizer used for lawns
and gardens.
FOR THE FINISHING
TOUCH ON YOUR
SPRING LANDSCAPING
PROJECT
See our complete selection of
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We have over 50 lawn
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VANASTRA
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FURNISHINGS
2 mile south of Clinton on Hwy. 0
-OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK 9"0.M..- 8 p.m.
482-7922
Trees protected Dere
Many landowners in the County
do not realize that in 1968, Huron -
County Council passed a by=law
to restrict and regulate the
destruction of trees by cutting,
burning, bulldozing, or any other
means. Under this by -lacy most
'species of trees, except cedar and
popular, smaller than 17 inches in
diameter cannot legally be cut or
destroyed in any manner without
a special permit from the County
Tree Commissioner.
Although the bylaw mdy seem
harsh on private lanaowners, it
was set upto con rve badly
needed cover in soi e areas, to
ensure an adequate supply of
valuable timber for the future
generations and.. to conserve
water, soil and wildlife. The
bylaw does not pertain to trees of
low quality, damaged or diseased
trees, or trees which should be
cut to provide roadways, etc.
Landowners who wish to clean
any existing woodland or cut
undersized trees must apply to ,
the County for an- inspection of
the property by a tree com-
missioner and if he sees fit, a
permit to clean or cut will be
granted.
Anyone found destroying
healthy undersized trees in large
quantities is subject to legal
prosecution and heavy fines..
Anyone who wishes to apply for a
permit or tp obtain copies of the
bylaw may get in touch with
Clerk -Treasurer, Huron County
Court House or Mur; ay Scott,
Tree Commissioner . at RR 1,
Belgrave Ontario.
lar-ra- Gil En m EU -{l , flffl. r
I IIliu i __
4
Just finished the
gardening for%\
the day? Y e
-61
a
REWARD
YOURSELF!
Head off to
the Pizza Express!
Why cook after a hard day in
the ?_Relax..-.andJga_usdo__.
the cooking!
Your Hosts: Joan & John MacKeigan
We use only Schneider's A-1 meats in
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taste the difference quality.
ingredients make - at
HEADttFFICE: CLINTON, ONTARIO,
CANADA
OPEN: Daily 11 a.m.-12 midnight,
except Friday & Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
PHONE AHEAD: 482-3924 or 482-3925