16 - Friday. August 26, 1994 - North Shore News '& GARDEN Gardeners reap multiple rewards RON KRANT gasped as he slepped inside a greenhouse on the sprawling grounds of Humber Nurseries. Spread before him was a visual feast of flowering color. Ambling among the droves of Saturday-morning shoppers, the 42-year-old television visual researcher loaded his cart with Japanese irises, Mowering sedumis and a rare Alaska fern. Then he rushed home to plant his acquisitions. Gardeniag is a daily part of life for Krant. Even in winter he pores over bulb and seed catalogues, “There's always room for one more plant,” Krant says. Increasing onuntbers — of Canadians are joining the millions like Ron Krant who enjoy garden- ing — second only to walking among the most popular physical recreational activities. An article in the July Reader's Digest tells that one study sug- gests that 52% of those over the age of nine enjoyed some form of gardening in 1988 — almost twice the number in 1981, when garden- ing was the fifth most popular physical activity. Mark Cullen, president of Weall and Cullen Nurseries in Toronto, believes 80% of Canadians enjoy spending time among plants whether they are caring for them indoors or tending vast backyard gardens. The boom has meant big busi- ness. Despite the effects of the recession, Canadian lawn and gar- dening industry sales were an esti- mated $5.4 billion in 1992, double those of a decade ago. The number of garden centres has shot up during that same time period — there being tow more than 500 across the country. New products abound, from singing watering devices to belts that pre- vent backache. People are gardening wherever they can plant a seed. Marilyn Jssavian’s fourth-foor deck in North Vancouver is an urban gardener’s dream. The centre of the deck features an island that she created out of planters filled with annuals, Single pots around the edges are loaded With perenniass: sprays of old- fashioned lacy pink yarrows, spiky purple Jupines and pink foxgloves heavy with blossoms, Disguising a neighbor's wall are trellises crisscrossed with flowering scarlet runners. purple clematises and spring-blooming Carolina yellow jessamines. The overall effect is so natural that hummingbirds and swallows are drawn to the secluded spot. A great blue heron likes to perch on the outdoor fireplace. A large country garden also has its challenges. After Ray Guy retired from his government job 17 years ago, he and his wife. Gillian, moved permanently to their summer home on the rocky shores of Musgrave Harbour, Nfld., and began creating an English-style garden over a third of a hectare. In all there are more than 100 varieties of plants, at least a dozen types of trees and shrubs, and countless rows of vegetables. When not outsite grimacing at weeds, Canadian gardeners are tuning in regularly to scores of gardening programs on television and radio. Gardening books have prolifer- ated, and more than 70 gardening magazines are currently being published in Canada in English and French. No matter what you necd to BACK TO SCHOOL SUPER SAVINGS ON HITACH Enepplicnil Feyfowmauce | 26AX1 28” Stereo Monitor T.V. CT2043 21” Stereo Monitor T.V. VTM170 VCR 31DX20 33” PIP Stereo Monitor T.V. 27AX2BC 29” PIP Steree Monitor T.V. CX200 Stereo HCUAX12 Stereo know. sotivone has a course for you. and hundreds of horticultural societies bring Canadian gardeners together to compare notes. attend Jectures, swap seeds, compete and boast of past successes. Gardening has also proved therapeutic. In fact. horticultural therapy is being used at botanical gardens and medical centres, Mitchell Hewson. chairman of (he 120-member 9 Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association, says the therapy is helping people of all ages deal with such diverse problems as eating disorders, sub- stince abuse and dementia. Children, too, benefit from gar- dening. Youngsters on crutches and in wheelchairs are -a familiar sight in the 10-year-old Spiral Garden of Toronto's Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitadon Centre, where child.’ are inspired not only to adopt plants but to create ™ Trademark tor carpet warranted by DuPont » DuPont registsted cerificabon mark stories, paintings and plays. Jiminy Young was eight fast sununer, when his mother. Valerie enrolled him in the Teaching Gardens program orun by Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens. An only child. Young was reluctant at first and stuck close to his mother, But in his garden plot. he showed a natural ability and worked diligently, especially at weeding. 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