15 - Friday, July 27, 1990 ~- North Shore News Specializing in chipping & shredding for the home gardener Let us turn your garden Se Garden can enhance Sr eS ane ee “ZOD 947-9772 or separ tab Interior of house EXTERIOR DECORATING is a way to reflect interior style in the design of the garden. Perennials are paint for the yard, providing bright blossoms and green foliage to enhance the decor of the home, both inside and out. The view from a formal dining room could be a_ well-tailored perennial border or an orderly flower bed. The color scheme of a contemporary living room may be accented by vibrant blossoms out- side the window; a country decor- ating style can be enhanced by pastel colors along the walkway and terrace. Perennials furnish many of the cut flowers used for arranging, so choose varieties suitable for cut- ting in shades complementary to the interior design. The secret to turning one after- noon of exterior decorating into years of spring flowers is planning — selecting strong and luscious plants, choosing the right location and making certain the soil is properly conditioned with sphagnum peat moss so roots have a hospitable growth environment. For instant gardening gratifica- tion, purchase established plants in flats and containers from the garden centre. When determing which flowers to grow, consider plant heights, blooming schedules, length of bloom time, whether flowers can be cut, types of foliage, amount of maintenance and watering re- quired, preferences to sun or shade, and resistance to disease and insects. Also, think about the long with thoughtful design and construction, our Gas by Design Show Home comes with the very latest in. modern gas conveniences. @ Like a stylish gas range colors and textures of foliage and flowers, which contribute to the look of the garden. PREPARE THE GARDEN Whatever flowers are chosen and however the garden is arrang- ed, one detail remains the same: good soil is at the root of healthy plants. Crucial to the success of any exterior decorating project is knowing the composition of the soil and amending its deficiencies. Perennials desire moderately acidic soil which is rich in organic material and drains quickly while retaining moisture. Unfortunately, few soils possess all of these qualities. Soil is a compound of clay, sand, silt, and organic material. When it has a high clay content, it tends to compact and harden, inhibiting root growth, the penetration of air and the drainage of water. Sandy soil, on the other hand, allows moisture to drain too quickly, creating a constant demand for watering and feeding. Luckily, these adverse cir- cumstances can be corrected by amending the garden bed with sphagnum peat moss, a_ long- lasting soil conditioner that comes in compressed bales which double in volume when opened. First, clear the planting area of all weeds and dig the space to a depth of 10 to 12 inches, shovel- ing the dirt onto a tarp. Remove all but the smallest rocks and add a ratio of one-third peat moss to the soil. This soil amendment is ideal for perennials because it re- tains up to 20 times its weight in A fast-acting gas water heater. A fabric- friendly gas dryer. @ And other gas o appliances that furnish today’s most desir- able homes with unmatched quality and | 12"x12" water, loosens clay, binds sandy soil, and has a predictable pH level of 3.4 to 4.8, helping soil reach an optimum pH level of 5.5 See Keep CERAMIC TILE BATHROOM WALL TILES and INSTALLATION rem $4.9Q00 WALL TILES 3 5 C, 6"x6",6 colours | MOSAICS . 99 from sa/ft. FLOOR TILES from sq/ft. 1288 East 14th St. $88-3160 oy Can I GREAT SHOW HOME BY LIHAT GOES MTO TT Ra OS B ae Sit a YVLLSOQOOACSA SLA ASAE S5 Professional handcleaning of Persian and Oriental carpets and British India Carpets 80%... For the Month of August Stain Removal and Color Changes. Handbinding and Fringing. Professional Restoration. Free In-Home Estimates fully Insured ABAD RUGS 320 East Esplanade, N.Van. 986-1165 . ‘ NASSAR performance. @ For a hetter appreciation of the many ad- vantages of gas, visit our Gas by Design Show Home. We think you'll agree that gas is worth loolsing into. Visir THE GAS BY DESIGN SHOW HOME Mt ~~ mpeay SAT-SUN. 1-5 pm “Pag | (OPEN suiviezs ae "Modern Tech » Constructions ©. “3600 Hillcrest Ave. «North Vancouver « * Natural gas barbecue demonstration. Complimentary refreshments. Free draw for natural gas barbecue.