Wildflower garden pays
off long-term dividends

THERE SEEMS to be a growing
interest in cultivating wildflowers
in the home or cottage garden.
And there are lots of good reasons
for doing so.

By MARK CULLEN
Contributing Writer

Although the cultivation of
wildflowers requires some time and
effort initially, the established bed
eventually needs far less
maintenance than a traditionally
cultivaied garden.

If you’re a busy person, the low
maintenance requirements along
with the almost continuous display
of color and variety offered by a
wildflower garden, may have great
appeal.

Another time-saving advantage
is that wildflowers require less
watering than lawns and,
therefore, perform well in dry
spells, or when you are on vaca-
tion.

Estheticaliy, a wildflower garden
offers a pleasant change from the
rather formal gardening we’re used
to creating. In addition
wildflowers are excellent for
fresh-cut and dried flower ar-
rangements, and potpourri.

The ecological benefits of a
wildflower garden are numerous.
They preserve water tables
(because wildflowers generally
need less moisture than lawns to
flourish), and attract varieties of
birds and butterflies which may
not have visited your garden be-
fore.

If you are interested in
cultivating wildflowers, it is best to
obtain a high quality seed mixture
from your local nursery. Don’t
collect plants and seeds in wild
areas. You might make the mistake
of further endangering species that
are nearing extinction and are pro-
tected by law.

The initial cultivation of a
wildflower garden requires some
effort. Wildflowers grow best in
soil that has been prepared as a
seed bed, with proper drainage and
lots of moisture. Both heavy clay
and sandy svils can be improved
by the addition of peat moss,
organic compost and manure.

The soil should be tilled to a
depth cf at least six inches and
raked smooth. Since this prepara-
tion and tilling v-ovides great
growing conditions for weeds as
wel! as your wildflower seeds, it’s
best to delay seeding for about

nnual Summer Install Sale

ERENT

ORR,

GET GROWING!

Visit the Bay Garden
Centres this weekend.
Save on

these

specials

and lots

more!

Prices in effect till
Saturday, May 12,
1990, while quantities
last.

Fison’s
SUNSHINE
PLANTER BOX MIX

55L. Our reg. 7.99
sale 699

All Garden
Seeds and
Bulbs

15% orF

Individual
Fuchsia
Plants

Our reg. 69¢

3/14

GARDEN CENTRES

Park Royale Lougheed *Richmond*Champlain
*Coquitiam

three weeks.

Keep the area watered to en-
courage weed growth, and then
pull out the weed seedlings by
hand. Don’t till the area again or
you may encourage more weed
seeds to surface. Simply rake the
bed until it is smooth and sow the
wildflower seeds. (If you mix the
seeds with two parts sand and one
part seed, you'll get a more even
distribution.) Rake the seeds in
very lightly and water thoroughly.

Try to maintain a consistent
moisture level for four to six weeks
and then gradually reduce water-
ing.

Further weed control may be re-
quired once the wildflower seed-
lings have become established.
Fertilizing isn’t recommended for
wildflowers because they don’t re-
ally need additional nutrients. In-
creased nutrients will also en- |
courage weed growth. It’s far bet-
ter to add nutrients to a wildflower
bed through additional compost or
composted cattle manure.

Make sure that you choose a
wildflower seed mixture that has
been blended for growth in your
area, otherwise you may have a
disappointing experience instead of
a wonderful wild garden.

.-. just in
time for

Homecrest furniture offers the
latest in aluminum and steel
technology. Each piece is designed
to ensure stability, balance and
structural integrity.

CHESHER BAY

Action Dining Group

7 pe. set includes 4 quilted sling
swivel rockers. 46° round giuss top
table with vinyl! bumper rim, 71"
umbrella & base.

Reg. Good Value $2,288

SALE *1,799
Lad

Unique lacquered resin

patio group with 2

position chairs. One

position for perfect
4 dining comfort, the

OAK NESTING TABLES

SOLID WOOD TABLE &
4 CHAIRS Reg. $349.00

OAK BOOKCASE

Monday - Saturday
9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

other for relaxing in the
sun. Folds away for easy
storage! 5 pc. set in-
cludes 48” round table,
4-2 position chairs.
Reg. Good Value $1,280

SALE *1,088

Optional Extra
Draylon seat pads, 82° umbrella & base.

Reg. Good Value $592

SALE *499

Many, Many In-Store Specials

(Limited Time Offer)

OPEN SUNDAY
12-5
NORTH LANCOLVER
STORE ONLY
"tl SEPT. 30

NORTH VANCOUVER
Marine & Pemberton
984-9567

BURNABY
2927 Norland Ave.
294-1194

17 - Friday, May 4, 1990 - North Shore News

1965 MAIN ST. at 3RD
875-1294

SPRING SPECIALS
OAK STEREO CABINET

299”
299”
299”
299”

Sunday
12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Reg. $379.00

Reg. $359.00

Reg. $359.00

SPECIALLY FOR MOM

Surprise mom with that special gift to help her relax
and enjoy some needed time to herself. What better
than a comfortable lounge chair!

Sun. Stacking Chaise

Reg. Good Value $388

7 SALE 5299 #&

Grosfillex Bahia

Chaise Lounge ee
wit eels
Reg. Good Value $264 4qbloyd/Rlonders

D> SALE 89 15 Spring base lounger

Reg. Good Value $398

SALE *319