waeavrudte. 16 - Friday, April 14, 1989 - North Shore News Know the basics of LAWNS ARE an integral part of a home. They have esthetic appeal, can control erosion and often provide a playing surface for family recre- ation, Dr. James Watson provides a primer of tips and techniques fcr establishing end maintaining a lawn. Dr. Watson is one of North America’s leading authorities on lawn and garden carc, water con- servation and turf grasses. He was the first person in the United States to earn a Phd in turfgrass science. Watson suggests: 1) Before mowing, remove from the lawn debris, dog bones, twigs, leaves, toys, and other debris which may be harmful if thrown from the lawn mower. 2) To permit light and heat to speed grass growth, remove excess dormant vegetation with mower. Set the mower notch lower than normal cutting height. 3) Mowing is a weekly task. You should figure about 30 minutes for each 465 square metres with a 53-cm. mower. If the lawn will not be used for recreational activity, then grass may be permitted to grow to a greater height. You also can select a grass that has low fer- tility requirements or that srows more slowly. 4) Take care of low spots, where snow mold and water appear. Use a light teaf rake to remove and add topsoil to level. 5) Fertilize in late spring, after winter nitrates are exhausted. . 6) Have a lawn service aerate your lawn if indications of com- pacted soil such as excess runoff are present. 7) After first or second mowing, set mower to preferred height of cut for your region. Mow often enough to remove % of leaf sur- faces with each cutting. 8) Grooming techniques enhance your lawn’s esthetic appeal. Use a grass catcher or run the mower a second time over dried excess clip- Pings to disperse them. 9) Use a weed trimmer around trees and sidewalks. 10) Water grass as needed. Con- sider an automatic irrigation system which conserves and applies water more precisely. 11) Consult locai turf authorities or garden supply centers for in- formation on appropriate chemi- cals to combat weeds, insects and plant 12) Your choice of grass and fertilizer is dependent upon soil and growing conditions. What follows are details on choices of grasses and fertilizers based on soil types. Soil texture describes the size of individual soil particles. Sand, silt, clay and loam are basic textural terms. Sandy soils often are loose, porous, doughty and low in fertil- ity. Clay soils may be hard when dry or plastic when wet, poorly aerated, but possibly high in fertii- ity. Also, clay soil tends to com- pact easily, Between these two extremes are the loams and sandy loams which, in general, are more desirable for Sean Rivard Sean has been delivering the North Shore News on Wednesday and Friday for 2¥2 years since he was 11. He delivers 265 papers in the Lower Lonsdale East area. He attends grade 8 at Carson Graham School where he enjoys Math, Social Studies and P.E. in particular. He also likes to play floor hockey. Outside of school he rides his bike, goes to movies and enjoys going to malls with friends, as well as playing video games. With his earnings from the North Shore News, Sean has bought a mountain bike and some clothes and is now saving for the future, as he hopes to attend college after graduation. ank you Sean for being our Star Carrier and for a job well done. DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT north shore’ 986-1337 lawn care plant growth of all kinds. Kertucky bluegrass is the most widely adapted of the grasses available for lawns. Kentucky bluegrass has many desirable pro- perties, including disease and in- sect resistance, improved wear resistance and fine leaves. It is ideal for open, sunny areas and grows best on well-drained fertile soils with pH values above 6.5 and below 7.5. When lime is deficient, the soil will become acidic and limestone will have to be applied. Common bluegrass also may be used and will produce a satisfac- See Grass Page 18 Danish Furni re ses Blak Office desk, filing cb o =| typing retu Complete Bedroom Be) 1___ Suites “INSTANT 1045 FURNISHING W. 4th Ave. 731-4173 LTD. (at Burrard) 4S ava ., eres Res At Royal City, we've _ really turned the tables on you this time. Our mouth-watering deals on clas- sic reproduction furniture include this superb solid oak dining room suite, masterfully designed and crafted to look good for genera- tions to come. The china cabinet is $995, table $495, chairs $99 apiece. A! 1629 Marine Drive, North Van. VENETIANS & VERTICALS 35% OFF DRAPERIES 25% OFF Custom Built Furniture and Reupholstery 985-7200 § Two-door solid oak china cabinet, bevelled glass panels, brass trim, reg. $1595, now $995; salid oak 48" table, reg. $795, now only $495; salid oak wide press back chairs, rege. $199, now $99 (while supplies last). If you prefer, of course, youcan purchase the items individually. Among our many other Anni- versary Sale specials, our hall stand with bevelled mirror is now only $795. And our solid oak flip door bookcase (reg. $595) is just $369. See us before April 30. Sweet deals like these don't last forever. THE ROYAL CITY 23rd ANNIVERSARY SALE, ~ NOW UNTIL APRIL 30. Vancouver: 275 East 8th Avenuc, 873-4267; Vancou- ver: 4428 Main Street, 873-4623: a Richmon: : @ 6253 No. 3 Rd.. ® 276-9161; Maple aN Ridge: 22653 y Dewdney Trunk Rd, 463-4955.