repare no ear’s berry harvest WITH AN extremely inild winter, a comparatively ary spring and, so far, a very pleasant summer, this should be a year of plenty for both ornamental and produce gardens on the North Shore. if you have been able to com- bat the problems which all of this clement weather can induce (slugs, aphids, mildew, extra watering, etc.) then you must surely be harvesting a bumper crop of rewards and enjoyment. The berry crops should be no exception to this as the news from the Fraser Valley producers will attest; high yields in straw- berries, raspberries, blueberries, and, as always, blackberries seem to be the norm. The care and cultivation that will assure the most from next year's berry crop should begin now. The following is a quick compilation of timely tips for the commonly cultivated berries. Let’s start wit!. the home town kid of the Pacific Northwest, the blackberry and those other hybridized members of the rubus family. Usually, I am asked for advice on the procedures used to eliminate them rather than their care and cultivation; but when you fantasize a werld free of thorny, invasive blackberry pat- ches try to imagine the loss of the blackberry pie. The solution here is to grow the named varieties such as Boysen, Cascade, Evergreen, Logan, and Young; preferably in their thornless forms whenever sweetness of the berry. The flowers and berries are formed on the previous year’s growth, therefore, pruning should oceur right after peak production, which usually begins in early August. Cut all of the canes that have produced a crop to ground level and dig out any roots thar are wandering out of their consigned area. over the garden gate by Geoff Tobiasson possible. These are generally easier to contain, friendlier, and of better flavor. Plant them in full sun, with deep, rich, slightly acid soil which should be fertilized mid- spring and summer with rhododendron and azalea food. Water them well) during the growing season as periods of ux- cessive drought can spoil the Quality Canadian-mado : Fi 4 WITH PURCHASE WHILE QUANTITIES LAST _ ORL GAS BARBECUES ¢ JACUZZI 45,000 BTU DELUXE FEATURES @ Dual upfront cantrals @ Heavy duty aluminum casting @ Syear limited warranty © 489 sq inches, Rotary ignitor e Slainless steel double 0 burner @ Porcelain grills Thermometer @ Fold-down iront sheit WE ALSO CARRY - . eGall ‘Brush ' 1 04" VALUE CHARCOAL KETTLES & GAS GRILLS Woodburn Stoves Barbeques SURREY 15420 Fraser Hwy. 585-8313 NORTH VAN. 1618 Pemberton 987-0811 681-6743 #7—11600 Bridgeport Rd. HOURS: MON, THURS, 10-5:30 FRI. TIL G. SAT. TIL S SUNDAY 12-4 RICHMOND 278-4540 CLOSED SUNDAY Propagation should begin now with the layering of young shoots. Strip the leaves four in- ches back from the tip and cover with two inches of soil, leaving the tip and its leaves free. As you have probably seen, blackberries are not afraid to ex- plore new territories and should spread rapidly. The blueberry is another tocal resident and a member of the same vaccinium family to which the huckleberry and lingonberry belong. Grow them in full sun with a rich, moist but well-drained, acid soil. Feed in early spring and summer with rhododendron and azalea food at label rates. Like the rhododendrons to which they are closely related, they have a shaliuw root system and will benefit from a two-inch covering of peat moss or a more permanent ground cover of some sort to keep the roots cool. Plant two or more varieties for good pollination and extension of the fruiting season, Some good varieties to choose from would include Earliblue, Rancocas, and Stanley which are early to mid- season, Bluecrop which is mid- season and Dixi, a late producer. Removing the flowers of first year plants will allow them to establish themselves. Pruning and thinning the plants regularly each spring will encourage the produc- tion of larger, tastier fruit and the removal of any weak bran- ches will promote vigor. Well, it seems as though I have bitten off more than this article can digest in one week so i will feave the discussion of currants, gooseberries, grapes, raspberries and strawberries as topics for the next two weeks. Home is where the heart Is WITH THF busy schedules most of us keep to, it’s no wonder that our favorite place to spend free time is at home. Current market research = in- dicates that more Canadians prefer the comforts of home to going out. Home is where the heart is, and so many other things we love - family, friends, our favorite books and treasures and, best of all, a big, cosy bed to sink into at the end of the day. The bedroom, probably the best place to escape the stresses of an average day, is quickly becoming the most important room in the house. Televisions, VCRs, even stereo systems, have found their way into the bedroom, along with more traditional furnishings and = ac- cessories. Like the rest of the house, how- ever, the bedroom of the '80s is more relaxed and sophisticated, in keeping with major lifestyle trends. More women are working out- side the home than ever before, and the average household reflects this change. Dual income families may have more money to spend on home furnishings, but they certainly have less time to clean, shop, mow the lawn or make the bed. Kitchen equipment, cleaning products, furniture and even bed- ding have become easier to use and to care for.