THERE are many dif- ferent ways to dress up a simple houseplant. Sometimes a litdle creativi- ty can goa long way. Plants with long stems such as orchids can at times look very plain in a simple pot. You can dress these kinds of plants up by arranging the ~ . bottom of the Pot with some interesting soil covers. . - These rocks should not .interfere with the watering or maintenance of the plant. - Lava'rocks, for example, are : perfect soil covers for potted plants. They are available in a * few different. colours and are of course porous so water . ” may easily pass through’ them: You can find these lit- “tle rocks sold in bulk or repackaged at nurseries and Pp florist shops. + Another idea is age * beans such as: kidney beans. Nes, yer @ another decorating - idea with these little versatile beans. They look best arranged i in concentric circles - give a patterned effect. The de red color works ly with deep green “pias s such’ as ferns and dra- “Tfyor looking for something really interesting — . try scattering afew miniature » pine cones'at the bottom of your planter. ‘Wood oie give From previous age old food containers, ‘which can confuse’ children. » For::more ideas, call 487-GVRD and get free: copy. of the“ brochure The Choice is in: Your Hands ‘for’ alternative eced solu- Sunday, April 9, 2000 — HOME AND GARDEN NEWS photo Mike Waksiteld - THERE are ail sorts of attraciive soil covers you can use to dress up 4 boring houseplant. a nice effect also. _ Nurseries and specialty candle shops carry 2 variety of tiny rocks. Some varieties are smooth and shiny while others look more like gravel. Gravel is available in a _ number of different colours - now and the black is especial- ly effective as a soil cover. It doesn’t matter which route you choose, just let ’ chair of the GvRD Solid Management “Thanks to the and collective Waste :- Committee, individual - efforts of our region’s citizens we have seen the volume of waste reduced by about half cover the past decade. Together we are making a world of dif- ference.” —Information provided by your creativity take over and you will be amazed at the results! — Barb Lunter is a West Vancouver resident. Send gues- tions or ideas to Barb c/o the North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Ave, - North Vancouver, B.C, V7M 2H4. You can also check out her Web site at - the. .. Greater “Vancouver Regional District, ° TUESDAY, APRIL 11: Have fun planting a window bcx with Iccaily grown herbs that you can take home and enjoy all season long. Learn about a variety of annual and perennial herbs, their botanical character- istics, growing conditions and some culinary information. The course is offered by North Shore Continuing Education from 7 to 9 p.m. at Carson Graham secondary. For more information, look at the 2000 Course Calendar. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12: Learn how you can transform your lawn into a natural mead- ow or prairie garden at “Natural Selection: Gardening with Native Plants and Ornamental Grasses.” Part of the North Shore Recycling Program’s Turning a New Leaf... Spring Discussion and Workshop Series, this work- shop will explore the suburban lawn from a community per- spective. through ecological garden design, native plants versus exotics and the esthetic and cavironmental benefits of ¢ workshop takes lace at 7 7 p.m., admission is free but space is limited. Call-to segister or for more informa- tion: 984-9730. THURSDAY, APRIL 13: Staff members from West Van Florist’s garden centre will demonstrate. many oan ideas for spring patio. len- ing. A variety of beautiful dis- plays will be assembled to demonstrate how colour and texture can bring your balcony to life in the spring months. This course is offered by W.V. Parks and. Recreation and takes place at the West. Van Community Centre from 6:30 ~ to 8:30 p.m. For more infor- © April 13th. &: ¢opm, Capilano College Stop into the North Shore News for free tickets. Quantities limited, first come, first served. | 189 Lorsdale Avenue north mation, see the Spring and Summer Leisure Guide, or call 925-7270. APRIL 14 & 15: The third annual —— Perennial Plant Exchange, organized by the North Vancouver Recreation Commission, takes place at the Lonsdale Recreation Centre. The plant drop-off is on Friday from 7 a.m until 7 p.m., and exchange and purchase is on Saturday from 9 a.m to noon. . SATURDAY, APRIL 15: Experience permaculture through a hands-on workshop: “Permaculture 101: Gardening with Diversity, Harmony and Community.” Learn how this wonderful way of living and growing in harmony with your garden environment turns problems into assets and. wastes into resources while creating comm nity in your neighbour- hood. Part of the North Shore Recycling Program’s Turning a New Leaf... A_ Spring Discussion and Workshop Series, this workshop begins at 10 a.m. Admission is free but space is limited. Call to register or for more information: 984- 9730. APRIL 15 & 16: The Alpine Garden Club of B.C. holds its Spring Show Saturday 1 to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Floral Hall at at VanDusen Garden. This is an annual event for the club, at which members bring their finest, rarest and most perfect plants to be judged in a compe- tition setting. A great opportu- nity for members of the public to view alpine and woodland plants, admission is free. North Shore News - 25 - learn to create a better mini- garden using containers and planter boxes. Topics to be © covered include container selection, soil, fertilizers, plant selection, maintenance and . presentation. Create your own miniature garden in a clay planter to enjoy for years to come. The course is offered by North Shore Continuing Education from 7 to 9 p.m. at Carson Graham secondary. For more information, Jook at the 2000 Course Calendar. SATURDAY, APRIL 25: . The Friends of Park and Tilford Garden are holding their third annual Spring Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at - Park and Tilford Plants, a newly constructed nursery at - The Park and Tilford Gardens in North Van. Trees, shrubs, hardy herbaceous perennials and tender annuals will be on sale. For more information call 984-8200. . SATURDAY, APRIL 29: Create a gorgeous hanging bas- ket full of multi-coloured flow- - ers. Bill Reid, W.V. parks super- intendent will _ lead. - - you through the planting process and you will leave with a basket . ready to hang at your home. All supplies included. Two ses- sions of this program takes - place at Klee Wyck Nursery, +" - from 9 to 11:30 a.m.; or 12:30 to 3 p.m. For more informa-. . tion, see the Spring and. | Summer Leisure Guide: for .- - West Vancouver, - APRIL 15 & 16: The annual ff SPCA Plant Sale takes place at the Vancouver shelter, 1205 East 7th Ave. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring questions for mas-_ ter gardeners who will be on hand. Proceeds support: the .. SPCA. Ifyou have any plants to" donate please call 521- 5285. TUESDAY, APRIL 18: Asan. apartment or home ‘owner - “BC is facing: a significant. shortag ‘o qualified Medical Laboratory Technologis to fill available and future positions: Thi a growing sector due to new. technol gy and population demographics.” y _Boug Buchanan, Managing Director, “BC Blomedicai Leboratories : BCIT can’t keep up with the ‘demand for Medical Laboratory: ‘Technologists: BCIT’s | two-and-a-half-year, Medical Laboratory: Science Diploma program provides you with - the comprehensive raining t that employers & king for. Information & Video Presentation: £3 | APPLY Ne NOW FOR SEPTEMBER Trans Canada Trail & Relay Z000 presented by Trails B.C. Tuesday, April i1th,: 2000 . from 7pm to 8: 30pm at North Vancouver City Library : 121 West: 14th Street, North Van: * 998-3450 . Fer more information Call: Karen 432-8831 9 = E-mail: karen nicolson@beit.ca | Web site: www.bcit.ca Have you ‘ever wanted to know - who Jesus really is or i what’ Jesus really did? ~ Come to the ALPHA introduction Dinner (Sutherland Church 630 East 19th Street, NV Tuesday April Mth, 6: 30 pl