Be sure to keep on top of
invading sawflies, aphids

MR. K. of West Vancouver writes: ‘‘Please could you tell
me the antidote for the small green bugs on red & white

currants...

My best guess as to the beasty in
question is either Currant Sawfly
or aphids.

In either case, 1 would suggest
picking them off by hand or use 2
high pressure spray from the hose.
Do this on a regular basis (say
once per week) for best results.

the recommended dose with
Safer’s Soap it proves to work well
on both of the above pests and is
relatively safe.

I’m not big on chemical solu-
tions. However, if you lack the
sadistic will to squish them in be-
tween your fingers, common sense

THE ROOT

OF THE

MATTER

GEOFF TOBIASSON

If things get too out of hand try
a solution of Safer’s Soap and a
small amount of Methoxychlor in
water.

In one litre c’ ater, mix 200
mL of Safer’s Soap and 2 mL
Methoxychlor and apply when the
pests are first spotted.

Methoxychlor is an
organochlorine, and although
closely related to DDT and Chlor-
dane (nasty chemicals), its mam-
malian toxicity is very low and it
does not appear to concentrate in
body or milk fats.

It is not effective against aphids
but is very good on caterpillars and
worm larvae such as those of the
currant sawfly. Mixed at one third

approaches such as this will
achieve good results with little risk
to you or the environment.

Ms. W. of North Vancouver
asks: ‘‘How does one keep birds
and squirrels from uprooting
young seedlings?’’

Loud, heavy metal rock & roll
blaring from a strategically placed
ghetto blaster works quite well.

The problem then becomes how
to deal with the empty-headed,
zombied juvenile delinquents con-
gregating in your garden.

Perhaps we better stick to
scarecrows and other garden or-
naments designed to frighten pests.
I’ve seen some beauties lately;
from large, blow-up snakes to

New gardeners should

From page 6
prefers Fells Naptha which is only
available in the U.S.).

Jobling has gardened over the
past 30 years, but really got in-
volved when he retired 11 years
ago and brought a greenhouse into
his arsenal.

“I've learned a lot from other
people, reading, and trial and er-
tor. You have to experiment,’ he
has concluded.

Plant sale
planned

A CHANCE to obtain unusual
plants is coming up, May 7, with
the Alpine Garden Club of B.C.’s
annual Spring Plant Sale.

The sale is scheduled for that
Sunday, from 2 to 5 p.m. at
William Griffin Community Cen-
tre Gym at 851 West Queens Road.

A broad selection of choice
plants grown by the members of
the Alpine Garden Club will be
available for reasonabie prices.

The selection will include
alpines, native and woodland
plants, rhododendrons, primulas,
bulbous plants, shrubs, dwarf
plants and ground covers.

These plants are particularly
useful in the landscaping of rock
gardens, for which the North
Shore is noted.

In addition to the plants,
knowledgeable members will be on
hand to answer questions and pro-
vide advice.

Proceeds from the sale allow the
club to make substantial donations
to local botanical gardens and
education funds.

For further information, contact
Frank Dorsey at 985-5774.

Winners of the large garden cat-
egory, Alec and Delphine Master-
ton, advise beginning gardeners
not to be intimidated, but to “get
out and do it.”

“Don’t be intimidated by the
so-called experts who tell you that
the soil has to be tested and pH
balanced. It’s amazing what you
and nature can do together,’’ says
Alec.

If you plant your seeds in the

plastic owls with carnivorous grins.
Check your local garden centres.

Some people have had good
success stringing fishing line a few
feet over their flower and vegetable
beds from which they dangle bits
of tinfoil. As they turn in the sun
(2), the reflected light can make
these pests too nervous to hang
about.

You should keep in mind that
birds eat large quantities of insects.
Once your seedlings have become
well-rooted, remove those items
which were designed to frighten
them away and build a few bird
houses to encourage them back.

If you still have problems with
squirrels or rabbits, try scattering
wood ash, bloodmeal or cayenne
pepper. Any of these will repel
most ground pests.

Ms. W. also asks: ‘“‘How moist
should one keep soil when trying
to germinate seeds indoors? Some-
times mine go mouldy, but on the
other hand I don’t want them to
dry out.”’

This is where I use that good old
catch phrase ‘‘moist but not wet’’.
Poor as it is, it is the only way I
can describe the proper amount of
watering necessary.

One method you can use to
ascertain the correct condition is
the relative weight of the con-
tainer. If it feels suspiciously
heavy, it is likely to be holding a
significant amount of water and
visa versa when it feels light.

That’s all the space we have this
week. Thank you for your ques-
tions. I welcome all others sent to
me care of the Capilano Chronicle,
1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Van-
couver, B.C., V7M 2H4.

experiment

shade, Masterton predicts that
“Mother Nature will gently tap
you on the wrist by producing str-
ingy little plants or nothing at all.”

“Next time you'll know better,”
he points out.

Masterton advises residents to
take their questions to the
municipal gardeners who are
working about the district.

“You'll find they are delightful
chaps,’’ says Masterton.

.

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PRU SURELTS SETS TTT eT TE TT

7 - Wedncsday, May 3, 1989 - Capilano Chronicle

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