22 - Friday, April 20, 1990 - North Shore News TYLES Spring lawns need nitrogen THOUGH THE Canadian climate varies widely, most of the country has already experienced some spr- ing-like weather. Only on Canada’s west coast may gardeners be assured of an early start for their activities. Elsewhere, only now are gardening activities ‘heating up.’* Gardeners usually think first of their lawns, and after a good raking, apply a fertilizer for much-needed nutri- tion. The Canadian Garden Coun- cil advises that the best buy in turf fertilizers is always a premium- priced product, regardless of brand. Ideally, a spring lawn fertilizer should have a high percentage of its nitrogen (the first number of the three-number formula on the bag) available from a long-lasting organic or synthetic organic source (eg. SCU, or urea-formaldehyde). Faster-acting formulae will do the job, but will stimulate more growth than needed in the spring. with little nutrients for the grass plants later in the spring. After the lawn, most homeown- ers think about additions, changes and improvements to the garden Bulb fiowers best in April THE FOLLOWING are some facts about bulbs and their flowers. Did you know that: © April begins the annuwl bulb flower show across Canada? Dur- ing this month the flowers we most associate with spring will begin to bloom. Various early garden tulips and nearly all the botanicals will begin to bloom in the latter part of this month. Hyacinths will start to spread their delicious fragrance and daffodils are everywhere — in the border, among shrubs and under trees. The special, ‘‘little’’ bulbs, too, are well represented in April — Leucojum (snowdrops), Scilla siberica (squills), Chionodoxa (glory-of-the-snow), Puschkinia (Lebanon squill) and others. This is also the supreme month for Muscari, the grape hyacinths, usually in blue but also sometimes found in white. ¢ Foliage helps tulips (and other bulbs) flower year after year? That is why the withered flower heads should be removed before they produce seeds, a process which drains the bulb of energy. Howev- er, never cut off the stem or leaves until they have withered naturally. As they yellow, the bulb is storing energy tO produce next year’s flowers. There are hardy orchids? One of the few that is currently com- mercially available is Pleione for- mosanum, from China, India, Thailand and Taiwan, which blooms in April or May with lilac-pink flowers. This little orchid grows best in an acid soil which is tich in humus. Good drainage is essential and light shade is the most suitable location. ®*The chincherinchee (Or- nithogalum thyrsoides) is one of the cut flowers with the longest vase life? Its little, white flowers grow on a pyramid shape stalk, with the tight cluster of buds pop- ping open — like popcorn — from the bottom of the stalk upward. They often last for more than three weeks in fresh water. {T'S AMATTER OF LIFE AND BREATH ‘by \ DON'T SMOKE + British Columbia Lung Association itself, Right now is the idea! time to plan such items as the addition of a bed of roses. If you have this in mind, remember that rose bushes like full sun for at least five or six hours per day. If you have that type of location, the one fac- tor to keep in mind in deciding on the size of the bed is that you should always be able to reach into the centre of the bed, at least with a Dutch hoe, from the edge of the FOR LIMITED TIME! WHILE STOCK AVAILABLE RICHMOND 4411 No. 3 Road Tel.: 276-2252 grass or walkway. Your soil may need to be amended with sphagnum peat moss. Your focal garden centre is the best place to head for advice on planting your rose bushes. They will likely have a catalogue listing, and perhaps illustrations of some of the more popular varicties. Herbaceous perennials are now the most popular form of home gardening. Plants such as peonies SOFA LOVE SEAT CHAIR SOFA LOVE SEAT CHAIR SOFA LOVE SEAT CHAIR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF QUALITY LEATHER FURNITURE! SALE $1949. reg. saree. ME SALE $1549. Reg, s2aa8 SALE $500. reg. sos. S SALE $2968. Reg. $4435. SALE $2600. Reg 53920. MF SALE $2700. neo, 53900 SALE $2300. Reg. $3400. SALE $1498. hcg. $2247. SOFA > SALE $2149, feg. $3373. SALE $1749. reg. 2923. SALE $1098. eg $1798. SALE $4800. Reg sseoo. 2p SALE $4225. neg. $8550. SALE $3299. feg. s6s97. So SALE $3997. Reg. $5995. SALE $3307. Reg. s4g60. SALE $2546. reg. $3819. and iris in the spring, delphiniums and phlox in the summer, and asters and mums in the fall are just six examples of thousands avail- able. If it's a shaded area you have, there is a good list of peren- nials for that condition too. For example, primroses, columbine, bleeding heart, bergenia and plan- tain lilies all thrive in shady gardens. There are many more. Before undertaking any changes OFA be LOVE SEAT CHAIR | SALE $1430. reg. $2295. [Em - LOVE SEAT CHAIR FA > LOVE SEAT § CHAIR as WEEK! in your garden, it would be helpful to have an overall plan. The Ca- nadian Garden Council has pro- duced, on behalf of garden centres all across the country, The Garden Planner - A Practical Guide to Home Landscaping. It is available free from many garden centres. Or, write the council (6 Nesbitt Dr., Toronto, Ont. M4W 2G3), enclosing $1 to cover postage, to receive a copy. DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER inthe ine furniture district 1148 Homer Street Tel.: 682-1483 Monday to Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12:30-5