Winterizers shield turf
through cold months

IT’S FALL! The leaves are
falling, the rain is falling,
the temperature is falling
and I seem to be falling into

another one of my _ gran-
diloquent openings.

Geoff
Tobiasson

OVER THE GARDEN GATE

Be that as it may, what use
would I be. if I: didn’t ‘yell
“timber”? when falf was about to
knock you on the head?

In looking over my notes, I see
that { promised one of my loyal
readers (1 must remember to send
that cheque) an article on fall
lawn care.

He was particularly eager for
advice regarding the restoration of
damage caused by our summer’s
drought. If late truly is better than
never, I had- better get started.

I say late because normally |
would suggest overseeding those
burned-out patches in late August
or early September.

The problem was that our
drought was not cooperating with
our timetable. Technically, our
drought was not over until the end
of September. _

Before. we bow out with a
recital of the Blue. Jays’ usual
swan song, Wait Until Next Year,

4&4 Our No. / problem in the Pacific
Northwest is the lack of calcium in
the soil. 99

you might stil] have time to get it
done this fall.

I know it is getting a little too
close to our seed-killing cold wet
fall weather, but if you are willing
to roll the dice you and your grass
may come up lucky.

Using a protective lawn and
garden blanket such as Typar’s
““Germinator’? or in bulk form
with Reemay's #2006 crop cover
might allow you to get the repairs
done now.

These covers can keep the
ground temperature as much as 5°
to 10°C higher, thereby increasing
your chances of successful germi-
nation during cold weather.

Seed is relatively inexpensive
and those bare or thin patches are
open invitations to weeds and
mosses.

lf you are not entirely suc-
cessful this fall you can fill neat
spring. Even then you should use
the lawn and garden blankets to
speed up germination and keep
the birds off.

Your next .order of business

‘ should be to improve the general

growing conditions for your lawn.

Our No. | problem here in the
Pacific Northwest is the lack of
calcium in the soil.

Those great lawns you see in the
Prairies are the result of naturally
high levels of limestone occurring
in the soil; ours was washed out
eons ago.

Apply dolomite limestone now
that the rains have started. You
should get a soil sample analyzed
or. buy a test kit and doit yourself
to ascertain in the correct amount
needed.

Not to worry if you cannot test.

FURNITURELAND'S

BIRTHDAY SALE CONTINUES

on selected mcdeis

FURNITURELAAD

111 East 3rd Street

(Pes) north Vancouver 986-1361

Fercn

A minimum application of one
20-kilogram bag per 100 sq. m (44
Ib. per 1,100 sq. ft.) will do no
harm.

If you haven't limed in several
years, repeat the above rate late
next February.

Many consider fertilizing the
lawn at this time of the year to be
an unimportant issue at best and
possibly even detrimental. They
are wrong.

Yes, you should avoid applica-
tions of high-nitrogen fertilizers
designed for use during the grow-
ing season, but winterizers are
beneficial, The high levels of
phosphorus and potassium present
will help your turf weather the
stressful winter ahead.

Get those leaves and needles off
the grass. Letting them remain too
long will not only smother the
grass below but also facilitate the
release of organic chemicals in the
soil designed to retard the growth
of the competition, i-e., your
grass.

When the hard frosts promised
by the almanac arrive, keep foot
traffic to a minimum. The grow-
ing crowns of frozen turf can be
crushed and permanently damaged
by even light use. If you see the
mail or paper carriers cutting
across the lawn, threaten them
with the withholding of the
Christmas bonus.

On duty

A SCULPTURE of a pig sits erect like 6 watch dog In a North
Shore garden - items such as this can add interest to any

garden.

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE

WITHA

HUNTER GAS STOVE

The Hunter 207 gas stove gives
you efficient heat, glowing logs
and dancing flames for only a

few cents an hour

It's

traditional, black and brass
wood stove design will make it
the highlight of your family
room. It's not only attractive,
but convenient, since there are
no ashes to clean, or wood to

carry.

Hunter