\S Residents’ efforts beautify c Deana Lancaster News Reporter deana@nsnews.com ALL across the North Shore, ama- teur and professional gardeners have been working hard lately to get our community blooming. And now, the time has come to get some recognition for all that hard work. The North Shore Gardens Contest is in its 12th year, and is already underway for 1998. The contest was launched in 1986 as a “one-time” event, to attract and impress visi- tors in Vancouver for Expo. THE GREEN ZONE “For the Urban Gardener” Looking for a unique garden addition? New on the North Shore ireplaces * Uses firewood + Natural outdoor heatcrs Mexican Clay Fi © Perfect for the patio Unique selection of © Shade indoor plants * Tropical indoor plants « Cut flowers Garden Accessories * Stone benches * Wall & water fountains * Large selection of pots 992 MARINE DRIVE, “1073 8 COPEN .. © heavy duty steel T+ type base -* 40,000 - 50,000 BTU © all the features of standard models S plus ask about BC Gas Fi Financing _ Warranty: . * 10 years on the casting . - Syears on the burner; ~ 2 year on all other parts NORTH VAN PT DAYS OS WEER | These days, no North Shore garden enthu- siast could imagine a summer without the com- petition. In the last 1] years, the contest society has judged nearly 1,000 gardens — large and small, private and commercial — presented public education eveaings, conducted several “Block Beautiful” contests, and organized nine garden tours. The purpose of the contest is to acknow!l- edge the efforts of residents wha, through their gardens, have contributed to community improvement and beautification. A quick look at local gardens seems to indicate the contest is a success. e Municipal contest blooming From page 23 a work with the city. “I’m a real believer in find- ing biological solutions before using pesticides,” he said He pays careful attention to pnv- ing, sanitation and plant nuin- tion, and will sometimes propane’. & natural-” “gas: _e 50: 000 BTU main burner’ : : * 10,000 BTU stainless stee! side bumer © Large 25” x 151/2” cooking surface ° Drop-down condiment tray ©. Anti-flare ceramic briquets © Extra deep, extra thick convection oven © Oven heat indicator . -. © Super 8 Dual infinity burner -® Perma-Mold shelf with child-safe integral tool hooks and towel bar Warranty: ~ 10years on the casting 5 years on the burner; 2 year on all other parts Entry forms are available at your nearest municipal hall and must be submitted by July 26. The contest covers the city and District of North Vancouver and the District. of West Vancouver. For residential entrants, categones include: 8 City lot @ Large space (larger than a city lot); @ Best use of patio; B Best use of balcony; @ Vegetable garden; @ Residential complexes. For commercial landscaping and gardens, categorics include: @ Small commercial, such as storefronts; introduce “beneficial” insects, such as dadybugs = and aphiledaies, as a way of con- trolling harmful pests. boulevards, fields. spring bulb displays, city parks and soccer In fact, this year they are Mmunity @ Large commercial. Church, School and other community gar- dens may also enter in separate categories. Sunday, July 26 is also the date of the soci- ety’s annual North Shore Gardens Tour. Only 500 tickets are available to view last year’s win- ning gardens. The tour sells out every year, but ticket sales are not expanded because of the impact that 500 pairs of feet have on local gardens. Master gardeners are on hand at each garden to answer questions and share their expertise. Moncy raised by the tour offsets the adver- tising, awards, photography, mailing and pub- licity costs of the contest. ness, conservation efforts and more with other Canadian municipalities of a similar size. As well, Granger is the © Cast iron, porcelain coated, multipesition grids He brought all of his knowledge and experience with him when he came west to start the horticulture pro- gram at Kwantlen College in the early 90s. He continues to teach thece part-time bur missed the scale of city parks. North Vancouver City has been blossoming under his guidance since 1995, but he takes litde credit. “We have a really dedicated crew,” he said of his staff. They are everywhere in the city these days, looking after working harder than ever, beesuse for the first time, North Van City is entered in the National “Communities in Bloom” competition. In preparation, Brownies and Guides have been making birdhouses, wooded areas have been the site of commu- nity clean-ups and Cerson Graham students are busy making window boxes for dis- play in front of city businesses. The judges are due in jate July, and will compare the city’s landscaped areas, tidi- aiso available - ; in naturai gas © §0,000 BTU Super 8 Infinity. Stainless steel burner ©: 13,506 BTU rear rotisserie bumer complete with rotisserie kit © 2 Porcelain grooved cast iron 3 position cocking grids,” 25°x15%",387%in? °2 Weather resistant drop down molded thermoplastic side shelves Corivenia +425°I (-40°F - © Porcelain coated retractable warming rack © Deep-oven, heavy aluminum casting ° Drop down front condiment tray . * Cart is tubular steel with triple-coated rust Protection systern « Warranty: ~ 10 years on the casting ~—5 years on the burner: * Locki c= 72 year on all other parts | At Johnstone's we service what we soli - all warranty work on-elta: president of the North Shore Gardens Contest Society this year — a contest that began in 1986 in conjunction with Expo °86 and has now become an institution on this side of the inlct. Despite the civic responsi- bilities which take up most of his time, Granger still man- ages to spend :ime in his own gardens: at his home in Kitsilano, and on his property on Bowen Island — prope which once belonged to his great-grandfather. ing casters