NOW THAT spring has sprung, sprang or whatever spent springs do, we’ve seen the sum of summer and are about to fall into fall, it is time to think about planting fall bulbs for spring color. My experiziice in a local garden centre reveaisd a few consumer purchasing habits in the annual hunt for bulbs which I wish to at- tempt to correct. First, don't wait for the sales, Too often, the really good varieties and the best quality bulbs get snapped up before the retailer feels the need to start reducing his in- ventory. There are always a few choice litle items which are sold out oe- fore the end of September; so don’t be disappointed, make your selection before ihe end of this month. LARGE ISULBS Always buy the lergest bulbs you can afford. Smalier bulbs will generally produce less spectacular displays and v.ually disappear faster in the ga'den. Crocuses may naturaltec fii any size, but hya- cinths, as an example, will peter out within two years if the smaller sizes are planted. Try to be sure of the size and quality of bulb you are buying. We would buy our bulbs in bulk and only bag a few at a time for cus- tomer convenience. This gives the customers the opportunity to mature offsets or cormlets (young bulbs). Once you have purchased your bulbs, take them home, open the bags to allow the free circulation of air and store them ina cool, dry environment until planting time. Daffodils and narcissi can be planted immediately; as a matter of fact, the smaller bulbs of the over the garden gate by Geoff Tobiasson observe the quality and size likely to be in the bag or, if preferred, to pick out their own. Pre-packaged or bargain priced bulbs seldom turn out to be as good as the gorgeous photographs which accompany them. The odds are too high that you will end up with a high failure rate or a large percentage of unproductive, im- FALL FRAMING FESTIVAL at ‘Regis CUSTOM FRAMES ESE: sar Se Byars lastest ie ee OFF REGULAR PRICES “MATS, GLASS, ETC EVERYDAY LOW PRICES . Regis North Vancouver “WE VE BEEN FRAME 50% miniature and dwarf varieties should be planted as soon as possible. DAFFODILS Winter Aconite (eranthus hyemalis) should also be planted quickly to ensure the best of its bright, late winter show. For those RD’ 4 off over 50 mouldings including a new solid Ash frame, in 8 designer shades 25% off our complete line of Metal frames Top 50 Wood DICTURES & West Vancouver 1425 Marine Drive 984-8469 ALL STORES OPEN SUNDAY — LATE OPENING FRIDAY DOWNTOWN é 1168 Robson St. KITSILANO i 2857 W. Broadway PBonerenncecnrereze ey reer evar SD TPT SOGOU REN es ee KERRISDALE 37th & West Blvd. RICHMOND 5311 Na 3 Rd. PRAMES 1432 Marine Drive 922-3513 LOUGHEED 107-4501 North Rad. a eS 17 - Friday, September 14, of you who have not tried these very early, yellow flowering bulbs, buy a few and test them in a pro- minent spot under some shrubs. They are quite tolerant of shade and heavy soils. With the exception of the above and a few other notables, the best period for planting is from the middle of October to the middle of November. This allows the soil temperature to become sufficiently low so as not to force too much top-growth before the advent of the deep frosts. Just to set the record straight on the correct usage of the term bulbs, 1 offer the following at- tempt at clarification. I promise not to bore you with it again. The fact is, that which we refer to as a ‘bulb’ could be a corm, tuber, rhizome or a true bulb. All of them are designed to hold water over a dry dormant period, they just slightly differ in the manner in which this is accomplished. excellent excellent 1987 - North Shore News i 1 pee , . A true bulb is something like an onion; a central, embryonic stem and bud surrounded by many layers of moisture retentive scales, Bulbs will multiply by forming of- fsets or bulblets at their base. The daffodil, tulip and hyacinth are typical examples of the true bulb. The corm is solid; a thickened stem with a fibrous outer cover. The original corm dies at the end of every season, while new ones are produced on the bottom or sides. The crocus, freesia and gladiolus are all produced from corms. The tuber is also solid; either a thickened stem or root. Stem tubers produce buds on the surface of the tuber while the root tuber does not. Tuberous begonias and potatoes are stem tuberous and the dahlia is an example of the root tuber. So, snooze and you lose. Get out there and buy some bulbs. quality service excellent price excellent guarantee Phoni 2612278: