geeks

7 Attracting

The Bird Lover's ia by Margaret
MacAvoy and Pat Kite, Friedman/Fairfax,
128 pages, $31.95

Terry Peters
Contributing Writer

* THEIR graceful move-
“ments and soothing
sounds can provide a
wonderful enhancement to.
any time spent in the gar-
den. ©

.. So it comes as no surprise that
many gardeners seek to encourage
the visitation of birds. To witness
their beauty close up isan easily
accessible way to experience nature.

In order to bring in more feathered _

: guests, the gardener needs to think of

_ the needs of the birds who are native to
the area. These needs’ are all addressed j in The

Examples of plants that will: aact birds are
‘with .a description ‘of. thei i

feathered friends

ments. But there is more to creating a success-

ful bird lover’s garden than just choosing the
right plants.

_ Birds will need water for both drinking and

athing. They will need shelter from the ele-

*.ents and an environment where they will be

happy to nest. While your

plantings will be able ro

provide 2 certain

amount of foed, it will

be necessary to supple-

ment this with some

feed. All of these

aspects are discussed

in detail, along with

many suggestions for

adapting their ideas

to your own garden.

The beautiful

’ colour photographs

in the book are an

inspiration to readers

for the rewards they will receive

from welcoming these delicate creatures into

‘the garden. A book to enjoy for both the infor-

mation and the presentation, this will become

a’ much’ valued -reference ‘in - ay gardener's

library. ae

“out to your fe

PL attain, om ene

Organic gartiens Wanted —

IF you know that “

cycling” does not refer to rid-
ing your bike on the lawn, and
“permaculture” is not an alter-:
native lifestyle for curly-haired
fofk, the North Shore
Recycling Program could be
looking for you.

More and more gardeners are begin-
ning to understand the link between the
health of our communities and the
health of the land that supports them.

Ata very base level, this includes our
own backyards.. For. the past few
decades, conventional gardening prac-
tices have actually fought against the
natural tendencies of the land, but that
all seems to be changing now, as many
people begin to embrace organic. gar-
dening, grasscycling, turf alternatives,
composting, permaculture :and other
practices more in keeping with the cycles
and patterns of our natural environ
ment. :

Last year, the NSRP highlighted
some of these practices in nine North:
Shore’ gardens in its first, Natural
Gardens Tour.

This year the program is doing i i
again with the second annual Natural >:
Gardens Tour —- and like last year, is on”.
the look out for gardeners who are
doing things a litde differently, who've -
moved bevnd the conventional model
and are taking the future in their hands.

i you or anyone ayaa is cur-
rently practising organic/alternative gar-
dening and would lke t be ii evolved th the sour
they'd love to hear from you.’ :

Call 984-9730 to receive an entry ‘form é on
which you can describe your garden and_the
practices that sustain it. Then, provided it fits
within the alternative garden and yard care man:

your garden could be included on the tour.
isa Ei opportunity to get-the word
Llow. gardeners; t to allow them ve)

Hanging ‘Baskets

Take’ advantage of this seasonal §

id reap the rewards of an abundant
-- hanging basket to enjoy all summer!
All basket stuffers (2'% inch pot) :-
15% savings. While quantities last

~ Harmony” workstop.
- who practice alternative or organic gardening
are . invited . to : participate: in. the: NSRP’
upcoming Natural Gardens Tour.

. 9
North: Shore gardeners’

see exactly how hae activities are pit into

_ tice — successfully, ;
_ scheduled for a eis 17, with the pre-event:

activities occurring throughout the months pr

; ceding the tour date.

All qualifying North: Shore. gar
respond to’ this. call: will be: entered into.adraw

“The Ultimate Gardening Ecpe
Two locations tos