i ES 7 E 4 iH £ BATTLE FROST BURN 13 - Friday, November 28, 1986 - North Shore News Pointers can reduce damage winter causes to the garden ABOUT THIS time every year we busy ourselves referring to countless checklists and sheets of things-to-do-today, all prompting us to perform all of those duties designed to protect us and our chattels from the oncoming winter. What with worrying about the house, the car, the boat, the family cabin and what have you (not to mention racket string-tensions, tanning lotion stores, Gucci sup- plies, credit card status, etc. for those peculiar, southward-bound Canadian geese), I thought I might tell you some of the things you should know about winterizing your garden. Be of good cheer! I promise not to overburden your weekends with hours of foul-weather gardening. Rather, I hope to provide you with a few pointers which will reduce the damage that winter can cause and the work-load of next spring. We fortunate residents of Lotus Land tend to be justifiably less cautious than our poorer relatives to the east. We scldom concern ourselves with the garden once the mower is packed away for the winter and occasionally we get burned, or rather our plants do. Last winter’s early frost, rela- tively mild mid-season and nasty February all contributed to enor- mously high losses and damage compared to average years. How many of you lost your roses, had your broadleaved evergreens badly frost-burnec or destroyed, or had a disappointing display from spr- ing flowering plants? The following are tips designed to ensure that these disasters are not repeated. Avoiding the application of fer- tilizers high in nitrogen and reduc- ing the amount of unnecessary pruning after July 11 will suppress the amount of tender new growth which is more susceptible to frost damage. If damage should occur, do not prune it away as this may produce more easily damaged new growth. Frost burn is generally the result of dry winter air dessicating or drying out the foliage of slightly tender broadleaved evergreens (such as rhododendrons, azaleas, fatsias, pieris, etc.) beyond their ability to compensate. Applying an antidessicant in November such as ‘Wilt-Pruf’, will temporarily seal the leaves against some of this moisture loss. Adding fertilizers low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus . and potassium will discourage the development of new growth and encourage the development of roots and plant body thereby in- creasing its resistance to cold weather. Bonemeal and wood ashes from thoroughly burned hardwoods are especially good sources of these nutrients. Under normal circumstamces, we do not find it necessary to other mulch around roses or flowering shrubs, but when the temperature drops well below average for a sustained period of time let caution be the better part of valor. Put four inches of peat, com- post, or dried leaves over the root zone (out to the outermost bran- ches) until the danger has passed. | promise not to tell those relations out east. Containerized patio plants should be moved up against the house if possible. If not then try to insulate the sides of pots made of clay or plastic. The insulating ma- “The Name You Can Trust We Want Your Plans! ° New Homes ¢ Additions « Renovations SERVICES YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM: General ‘Construction Contracting Doug Johnson or Wes: Thompson Bring us your plans for firm price quotations Design/Build Contracting Building. Proje ect Consulting ing esign Space Planning and Interior Design Construction Management Land Planning Home inspection Service Doug Johnson or Ryan Murray , i Ryan Murray George Levine 680-7669 (pager) Thorough, written reporting on the entire condition of the home you own or might like to purchase. Repair and Maintenance CALL US DAY OR NIGHT. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU Dave Walls § Geoff Tobiasson © over the garden gate © terial (foam, diy leaves, shredded paper, peat moss, flamingo feathers, etc.) must remain dry in order to preserve the insulating ef- fect. Keeping the soif a little dryer over the winter will produce a sim- ilar effect as soil on the dry side acts as insulation as well. 1 emphasized a little drier because the fact that people tend 1o ignore their patio plants and those which are not receiving a natural supply of water are at risk of dying from drying out even in winter. Tender plants such as hibiscus and fuchsias should be brought indoors over the winter. Try to in- troduce them into the warm, dry indoor air gradually so as to reduce the climatic shock. Be on the look-out for hitch-hiking in- vaders on these plants, such as spider-mites, whitefly and mealybug which can become real problems indoors. I am reluctant to mention brand names but a thorough application of Safer’s Insecticidal Soap before introducing these plants into the house and followed by another seven to 10 days later should reduce the risk. And [ll further alientate you hard-core organic folks by suggesting Dexol’s Whitefly und Mealy' ug Killer should the problem get out of hand. Newly planted muterials should be given extra consideration while they are establishing themselves. Antidessicants should be consid- ered a must and wind screens would be of great benefit to plants exposed to harsh winter winds. | would also strongly recomniend See Wind Page 14 FABRICS & O74 , /O -*F LABOUR DRAPERIES, UPHOLSTERY, BEDSPREADS CUSTOM BUILT FURNITURE Free shop at home service The Ulimate in Dimnenviony INTERIORS North Vancouver . 1099 Marine Drive Phone: 985-6148 Custom Design Vy Vancouver 3004 W. 41st Avenue Phone: 261-2278