TEAS ils ah RRS EEE CS : | f : ¢ TALL GRASS PROMOTES DISEASE Let your lawn decide when iowing WE ALL eagerly await the day we can roll the mower into its winter resting place and leave the lawn to lay quietly dormani over the winter months ahead. The problem arises when we become a little too eager and the lawn refuses to quit growing. Ingrate! All of our lawns today are com- prised of a mixture of various types of grass, each with its own qualities and characteristics (more about this in a later column). If the taller growing varieties are allowed aE star of all turf nightmares and late night horror shows — moss! So, it is recommended that we let the lawn decide when to pack it up for the winter and keep cutting until we are sure it is dormant. A a has over the garden gate by Geoff Tobiasson to become too tall some of the shorter types will suffer, especially in the cold, wet weather of early winter (not that it’s ever wet on the North Shore). : Another result of lawns left too tall over the winter is the flourishing of diseases and pests such a snow mould, leaf spot, root rot, fusarium patch, and that one good height for the average North Shore lawn to be kept over the dormant period is 14% inches. For the same reasons as men- tioned above it is best to get the Jeaves off the lawn as quickly as possible as well. I include the nee- dles dropped by our large coni- ferous evergreen trees as well because they can cause special The Nam We Want Your Plans! ° New Homes « Additions ¢ Renovations it is best to stop damage by acidifying the soil and releasing natural toxins designed to choke out the competition. Speaking of acidifying the soil, now would be an excellent time to treat overly acidic lawn soils with dolomitic lime, the rains of the months to follow will break it down when it is needed most. I recommend dolomite lime because it is comprised of both calcium carbonates and magne- sium carbonates, both of which are essential micro-nutrients or trace elements needed for healthy green growth. So make sure the bag says “dolomite lime’? and indicates a grind of ‘‘100 mesh or finer” which will then break down in a three to four month period. It’s a good idea to apply a fall- winter or winter-spring fertilizer at this time as well. Look for an analysis high in phosphorous and potassium (the last two numbers) and tow in nitrogen (the first number); examples of this would be 6-9-18, 3-15-6, etc. This will promote active root development without encouraging too much top growth during the dormant season. Lastly, keep foot traffic to a minimum during frosty periods or when the grass is covered in snow and be careful when salting walks and drives as this is general- If you have plans or ideas for construction in the New Year, it’s not too early to cali us. At your convenience we will visit your home, building site, or office to talk about what you want to do. We can start with an estimate of approximate cost, tailored to fit your budget. From there we can prepare working drawings and specifications, with a firm price quotation, or quote on existing plans you may already have. Our construction and design staff are fully qualified to provide you with whatever services you require, from redecoration through to complete building projects. During the Holiday Season our offices are open as usual except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, ancl New Year’s Day. CALL US DAY OR NIGHT. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU 13 - Friday, December 5, 1986 - North Shore News ly toxic to turf, Those neat (or not so neat) little piles of debris; leaves, weeds, twigs, lumber, etc. which you have carefully (or not so carefully) plac- ed at strategic locations around the garden are perfect little con- dominiums for those over-winter- ing pests and diseases we fought so hard against early this year and, in return for the comfy quarters, they'll be back next year making our gardens a living (or dying) hell. Leaves which have fallen from rose bushes or apple trees with scab or any other infected tree or shrub should be bagged-up or burned in order to stop the spread of the diseases in question. Take one last pass through the garden looking for the withered foliage, spent flowers and dead branches of any annuals, peren- nials or shrubs. Prune out any of this material and discard any in- fected parts; save the rest for the compost. Slugs and snails love those cool, damp cracks, crevices and depres- sions as nesting places for their eggs. Remove all piles of litter, check in cracks between rocks or retaining walls, and any other such likely hiding places for their pearly little eggs. If you’re looking for something a little more pleasant than hunting for slug eggs (hard to believe it’s possible, | know) try Van Dusen Botanical Gardens at 37th & Oak in Vancouver on Sunday (Dec. 7) at 2 p.m. It’s their annual holly walk, with a guided tour of their impressive selection of over 100 varieties of holly. You'll be sur- prised just how interesting and entertaining it can be. Well, next week it’s selection and care of live Christmas trees plus any other appropriate topics. Don’t forget to forward your re- quests for any special themes or concerns to: the North Shore News attention Over The Garden Gate, 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, V7M 2H4. LUXURY —_—_————_—_— RENOVATIONS BATHROOMS and KIICHENs — Moving sale, Garage sale, call it what you like SALE! <0) ‘Discontinued & Display Off Regular Retail Prices Bathroom & Kitchen items —50 tub & shower doors many trims end glass styles available —25 marble vanities —3 marble tubs —1 shower stall - 33°'x35"° complete with walls —oak office desk and chair $75 & up $25-$100 $50, $100, $150 $150 $125 —miscellaneous taps, sinks, plumbing fixtures —decorative light bars $50 —miscellaneous medicine cabinets Everything Must GO!! (P.S. We are now located at our new showroom 153 W. 3rd 987-3055)