¢ Safe for vegetable gardens PLANTERS For Mother or Grandmother Beautiful low terra-cotta coloured bowls bursting with colourful \annuals that will bloom gloriously all summer long. Bright petunias, KA marigolds, alyssum and other W) blossoms surround a dracena palm spike. Regular $24.99 Specially Priced CORRY’S e Effective even in rain FERTILIZERS . ° wae kg). *Economical J, 4kg size -Hl e Two fermulas: i {J} 15-30-15 and : 20-20-20 * Regular $24.99 HEDG ING Western Red Cedar (thuja plicata) is an excellent choice where a fast-growing large hedge is required. Our locally- ~ grown, freshly delivered =i plants are approximately 3 ft. 3 high. Reg. $16.99. Sale Design your garden to use water efficiently BENJAMIN FRANKLIN © said, “When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.”’ With today's emphasis on conservation, we're more concerned than ever before with effectively managing our water resources. But that doesn’t mean you need to turn your backyard into a des- ert, advises the U.S. Garden Council, a national organization of fawn and garden industry firms. That's not what the. water-sav- ing landscape design and management is about. The ap- proach, known as Xeriscaping from the Greek word for ‘‘dry,”’ actually relies on working with nature. This **naturescaping™ involves selecting the best plants, soils, locations, and irrigation systems to create a beautiful landscape that uses water efficiently. Color-rich perennials and many varieties of shrubs are just two **naturescape’’ components that cut water use by almost two- thirds. Specialists in water-saving land- scape design suggest that property owners follow these guidelines to come from watering infrequently and deeply because this en- courages roots to grow deeper into the earth and draw moisture from the water table. These plants only need monthly watering. *Check to see if the soil is moist or dry by inserting into the ground a rod ar tool such as a screwdriver. This will tell) you whether or not the roots are get- ting cnough water to grow deeply. ®*Use the right irrigation method for the particular plant- ings. Suggestions include bubblers for trees, drip systems for shrubs and ornamentals, sprinklers for grass, Your garden centre may also carry other devices such as soaker hoses, low-volume sprinkler heads, and automated systems run by time clocks. ®Use a rod inserted in the ground to deliver water closer to the roots. This will conserve water and prevent evaporation. © Collect water during rainfalls and use it on the areas that need the most moisture. * Apply mulch to help limit evaporation and guard against erosion. ° Apply water to establish &4 Color-rich perennials and many varieties of shrubs are just two ‘nature-scape’ components that cut water use by almost two-thirds. 99 improve both their conservation and beautification efforts: ¢ Plan how you’re going to use the various szctions of your yard, and decide where you think the plantings would look and grow best. ¢ Organize plants by putting them in groups according to levei of water use — low, medium, or high. This saves the water that’s lost when drought-tolerant plants are pianted too close to thirsty tropicals. « Install an efficient drip water- ing system. Initial costs may seem high, but over time you'll realize the savings associated with a system that will bring water to the areas that need it rather than over-watering the entire property. « Accept the fact that any grass needs up to four times as much water every year as low-water-use groundcovers. Then select the locations where you need it, such as a play area or portion of the front vard. But choose the right grass for each: A warm-weather, drought- tolerant variety may do for the play area, while a section of cool-seuson, deep-green erass might suit the front yard. Choos- ing the proper grass species for your particular ctimate is impor- tant, foo. «Learn proper care of your new water-efficient landscape to prevent watering too much or too fitthe. Most times. the best results drought-resistant plants only when they’ve become dry. That’s im- portant to the health of the plants. With this in mind, apply mulch lightly in sections of the landscape that retain water due to dips in the land surface. in such areas, keep roots from rotting by not using mulch around the plant base, or by using a very porous mulching material. * Prepare the- soil by adding amendments such as organic ma- terial. Compacted or tayered soil won't allow water to filter proper- ly. and that can cause an assort- ment of problems. Loamy soil mixed with organic matter is an excellent combina- tion. For flower beds and shrubs, mix to a minimum depth of four inches into the soil. © Use plants native to the en- vironment or plants that come from like environments and weather conditions. In their home setting they need less water, fertil- izer, and pest control, And proper methods of fertilizing, pruning, and controlling pests will keep water needs at a minimum, * Mow lawns to three inches at the highest setting on the Jawn mower. That keeps the water re- quirement low because the lawn will provide shade for the ground, which slows the rate of evapora- tion. Watering carly in the morn- ing will accomplish the same result. D & M Contracting Ltd. A subsidiary of Canadian Gun-Crete and Grouting Ltd. 23 years experience in concrete restoration. Ke a ¥ an | Approved Applicator SSS 9 CF PLANTLAND Pl poo pee ean ays 6250 LOUGHEED HWY., BURNABY * PATIOS * WALKWAYS 299-0621 FOR A FREE ESTIMATE AND MORE INFORMATICN puone 9BO-2714 Fax 980-4218 wer Than ers rete