Oy, peseratey 16 —- Friday, May 5; 3989 - North Shore News VEGETASLE GARDENING Viake the most of a small lot THINK YOUR lot is too small for a vegetable garden? Well, by landscaping with vegetables as well as flowers, you can make the most of today’s small city lots. Try planting a border of leaf let- tuce and marigolds around your foundation plantings or grow tomatoes on a trellis to separate two areas. Planning is an important part of landscaping with vegetables. You must consider such things as color, growth habit, the time when each variety looks its best and appear- ance after harvest. Cabbage, for example, is an ef- fective accent plant until the first head is harvested. Once the head has been cut, the remaining leaves become an eyesore. At this point, perhaps you could replace the cabbage with small pots of marigolds, petunias or gerani- ums, Location of the vegetables is of prime importance too. Full sunlight, adequate water, proper fertilization and good soil are important if your vegetables and flowers are to thrive. Certain vegetables also require a regular spray program, so you must find out if the spray will adversely affect neighboring flowers (or vice versa). For instance, if you plant vegetables around your rose bushes, check to see if the chemical used on the roses will harm your vegetables. And note if there is a time interval required between the last spray and harvest time, so that the vegetables are not sprayed too close to consumption. One advantage of planting vegetables in your flower garden is the unique effect that can be created by combining new colors, forms and textures. ‘Parsley, with its dark green col- or and ruffled texture, is a good choice for your border. Parsley is usually late to start from seed in the spring but it is very effective if you plant the seeds with spring bulbs in the fall. By late June, when the bulbs have finished flowering, the parsley will be fully grown and will hide the bulbs’ unsightly foliage. Asparagus, which is a perennial, makes an attractive delicate background in a perennial garden. But it is important to remember that asparagus needs about four to five years before you can begin to harvest the tender young shoots. Tomatoes may be used in several ways, in a budget-wise landscape. Miniature or cherry types can be used in patio pots or as a border plant. Buy air conditioners now CANADA'S WINTER can linger into spring and it’s hard to think of air conditioning when it’s still cool out. Nevertheless it is going to get hot. If you have thoughts of a new or replacement air conditioner for your home the sooner you make your move the better — both price and servicewise, With the first heatwave which can come in May, dealer-contrac- tors start to hear telephones ring. From then on they’re scrambling to keep up with demand. Late call- ing customers may not be able to get iistallation until summer is well started. And they certainly won't get a sharp pencil deal. Most manufacturers offer valuable inducements to order ear- ly. And, because they can use their time more effectively when they’re not working at fever pitch, dealer-contractors will normaily supplement these inducements with good deals of their own. The Perfect to Pave COLORED, INTERLOCKING CONCRETE PAVERS FOR DRIVEWAYS AND PATIOS HOLLAND o=aeees C7 = ane "CONSTRUCTION SERVICES __ ADVICE — DESIGN — INSTALLATION FOR ALL YOUR LANDSCAPE NEEDS “UNITED: LANDSCAPE: SUPPL * 125 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, NORTH VANCOU FREE ES IMATES |. . 929- 4555 Larger varieties can be trained to grow on a trellis for an effective backdrop to the rest of the garden. Best of all, the tomatoes can be harvested and the plant will still be an attractive part of the landscape. The globe artichoke, with its unusual head and _thistle-like flowers, makes an interesting ac- cent plant. The heads muy be cooked like asparagus or sometimes eaten raw. Kale and borecole (with its finely curled dark leaves) can be used as an accent or border plant. The tender leaves of borecole can be used as boiled greens, chopped for salads or used like let- tuce in a sandwich. Brussels sprouts also make a good accent plant in a flower garden. And after harvesting the sprouts late in the summer, the plant still looks attractive in the landscape. Herbs — tarragon, dill, sage — may be used as background mhte- rials or accent plants. Ornamental CALL TODAY FOR FREE BROCHURE OR SEND $3.00 FOR CATALOGUE Call today: DOUBLE ‘S’' CEDAR HOMES 14771C Gath AVE., SURREY V3S 1X6 norelaxing or. ning. outdoor Hie outdoor table - dace mags: baskets, es and murc giftsto fie basil, with its dark purple leaves and lavender-white blooms, is an interesting contrast plant. Chive, with its long narrow grass-like leaves and mauve-pink flowers, is ideal in a border. Swiss chard may also be used as border material. Or try green and ted peppers; the shiny leaves and fruit of the pepper will add a unique texture to your landscape. MANUFACTURER OF QUALITY CEDAR HOMES AND CABINS FACTORY DIRECT. PREFABRICATED 00 IT YOURSELF PACKAGES OR USE GUR ERECTION CREWS (604) 596-6737 FAX (604) 980-2396 BURNABY 2927 Norland Ave. 294-1194 NORTH VANCOUVER Marine & Pemberton —— Other vegetables are more dif- ficult, although not impossible, to use in a landscape. Sprawling plants, such as pump- kin, squash, and beans should be avoided, except under certain cir- cumstances. Rhubarb can be used as background material, but it dies down in late summer, limiting its use. HIGHEST OVERALL EFFICIENT NON-CATALYTIC WOODSTOVE (72.3% EFFICIENCY) *Certified installer Naf. Main . + 984-4 59° _ Distributed By: Je *S' Prefab Homes Ltd. ERNIE L. 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