NEWS photo Terry Potera

, TULIPS ARE currently in abundance throughout the North Shore, but soon they'll give
way to’summer plants. To ensure a healthy bulb for next year, cut off the heads of your
tutlps arid let the leaves dis back. :

Friday, April 26, 1996 — North Shore News — 73

ping your
arden goin

Rey
Jonsson

Bde

APRIL IS always a
busy month for gar-
deners, and with the
frequent rainfall, all
the jobs get squeezed
into the few remain-
ing dry days.

Annual lawn mainte-
nance work is usually car-
nied out in April but can
be done in early May. Use
a moss rake or de-thatch-
ing machine to remove the winter's
growth of moss. Most de-thatching
machines are very heavy but there is one
called the “Mantis” thet is light-weight
and easy on the turf (Check with your
tental store or call Arrow Equipment on
Pemberton Avenue in North Vancouver).

The remaining moss can be treated
with moss killer. ii the grass is sparse or
there are bare patches, over-seeding
might be the quickest way to get the lawn
back in shape. A thin layer of sand and
compost top dressing (1 cm or 1/4") deep

- planted with a quality grass seed such as
Elka or Elka it will grow well in sun or
light shade. Wait unul the grass is up and
mowed once or twice before applying
fertilizer. Do not apply any weed killer
near the newly planted grass.

Most coniferous trees and hedges can
be pruned in April and early May. A sec-
ond pruning will be required tater but
now is the time to get them shaped for
the new season’s growth.

When shearing be careful not to cut
into the brown areas because most
conifers will not regenerate new growth
on brown wood. Red cedar is one of the
exceptions, but even then care must be
taken.

Most broadleaf hedges are the oppo-
site. Boxwood, Laure] and Photinia will
all regenerate on old wood provided you
cut all three sides of the hedge.

Early or cool weather vegetables can
be plawed out as transplants or as seed,
These include: beets, cabbage. cauli-
flower. lettuce, onions, parsnips, peas,

“yadish, and turnips. Radish are quick to
germinate and parsnips are slow to germi-

nate so it is possible to piant them togeth-:

er as a companion planting. The radish
will be harvested before the parsnips real-
ly begin to grow. |.
- Remember to set‘up your slug traps
before planting out young transplants or
they could all be gone in one night.
Warm season vegetables, such as pep-
pers and tomatoes, are best held back
unti] around May 24 unless they are pro-
tected.
Many spring bulbs are quickly coming

to the end of their flower-
ing period. Cut the flower
heads off as soon as possi-
ble and redirect the energy
down into the bulb for
next year's bloom: The
bulb leaves must be left to
grow and produce food for
the bulb. When about a
third of the leaf has yel-
lowed, the foliage can be
cleaned up or the oulbs
lifted and stored for the
summer. Do not tie the
leaves of bulbs as this prevents them from
effectively producing any food for next
year.

Perennials have been increasing in
popularity the last few years and there are
many new and interesting varieties avail-
able at local nurseries.

This is also a good time to plant some
new additions to your perennial beds and
lengthen the season for color. Many of
the perennial rockery plants are now
coming into bloom and this is a great
time to buy. You can see exactly what you
are getting in color. Perennials will
remain in the same place for many years
so before planting, fortify the soil.
Compost or manure will improve fertility
and water holding capacity.

Hold back on planting your tender
annuals unal Mothers’ Day (May 12) or
the May 24 weekend unless they are in a
warm sheltered spot. Bedding piants that
get too cold tend to go into shock, harden
their stalks and fail to put on new growth.

Dahlia and gladioli are both warm
weather plants but it is possible to rush
the season by starting them inside. Pot up
your tubers and corms in a shallow flat or
box of damp peat or light potting mix.
When the new shoots are 10 to 12 cm (4
to 6 inches) tall, the plants can be teased
out of the mix and placed directly into the
ground. With a good root structure and
part of the new shoot above the ground,
the plant will be off to a quick start with .
the warm days in mid-May. 7

Warmth not only triggers plant growth
but will also encourage the insect popula-
tion to explode in numbers. A regular
tour around the garden at this time of the
year can prevent infestations from getting
established. A sharp snap with your fin-
ger on the.stalk or a spray of water from
the hose is often enough to dislodge a
colony of aphids. The less insecticide we
use the more beneficial bugs will be
around to help us.

One garden event that you may wish’
to attend for inspiration is the Burnaby .
Rhododendron Festival, Sunday, May 3
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 6450 Deer
Lake Avenue. Burnaby. | a

sow it grows

Azaleas

Dwarf evergreens exhibit spectacular
springtime flowers. Adapt well to shade,
beautiful in containers too. Variety of
colours includes pink, purple, white
and red. In 4” pots. Don’t forget that
Maple Leaf has the answers to all your
planting and gardening questions!

Gorgeous

variety of colours
ac an excellent ; .
price.Each a ie = ST a
GARDEN CENTRES

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