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, .x.-.smm_w_~_s A..- __ 4 _..~ ._ . ..-... LA 4,, . i .........c...r.._... . . A . '1'. M < GOPHERS GO HOME One Sunday while having coffee i jumped to see what was making a mound in my garden and came eye- ball to eyeball with a gopher. I planted a soda bottle at the outside edge of the garden leaving it above the ground one inch so the wind would make it whistle. Gophers and moles can‘t stand the vibrating sound so they stay away. One bottle will take care of about 100 square feet of space. (Ida Graves, Alvarado, T eras) Reprinted by pcrmision of Garden Way Inc. from TROY-BILT OWNER NEWS. To rweive a free 24-poge booklet of illus- trated gardening tips. write: Gardening Tips from Troy-Bill, 20 Gurlcy Avenue , Troy. NY 12182 Gardening Letters by Doug Green Its nice to see the snow out the window as I sit and write this article. Nice because its cleaner than the old brown grass but also because it will be acting as insulation for all our perennials and tender plants struggling to make it through the winter. If you have a chance, you might want to pile snow up over your perennial beds {throw it there when you shovel the walk}. This extra snow cover over the perennials and roses will act as extra insulation if we get a thaw and sudden freeze. The extra snow will not melt as fast and might still work for you when the rest of the ground is bare. In giving a talk the other day to a Horticultural society, I happened to mention the shrub Kalmia latifolia. None of those gardeners knew about this plant and I thought that I should let gardeners in North Leeds know about this great shrub. Kalmia or Mountain Laurel is a broadleaf evergreen plant, native to the Eastern coasts. It grows 7~15 feet tall but is a spectacular ' blooming shrub which compares easily to the Rhododendron. It can be planted with the Rhodo‘s as they too like the acid soil. Planted in full sun in milder regions or part shade in hot areas, it matures from a dense, rounded shrub into a gnarled specimen plant in its old age. It loves moist, acidic, well drained soil that is high in organic matter. Bloom colour in June ranges from white to pinks. Give this plant a try especially if you have cedar, pine or oak trees the leaves will not be as noticeable and the flower colours will not be as bright. They are the only Impatiens that really like the sun. It you let them dry out, the top leaves will soon look as if a blowtorch was passed over them, getting all brown, dried out and crinkly. Hanging baskets are beautiful in the greenhouse, but if they are not watered in the garden or if the watering is inconsistent then they too will soon look ‘blasted‘. Spider mites refer to them as ‘lettuce‘ so frequent sprayings with the hose and weekly applications of an insecticidal soap spray are definite recommendations. As you read this, remember that spring is not long in coming and that the crocus bulbs will soon be up. growing happily in your garden. We have obtained some stock plants of Hedera helix, variety ‘Baltica‘ for trial this next winter. For those of you who gave up on latin names, English Ivy is the name of this great plant. I‘m told that this particular variety is the hardiest of the known varieties so we will be trying to get it to live here. I always wanted an ivy covered cottage. For several years, we have grown New Guinea Impatiens for sale in our There have breeding greenhouses. been some improvements in these plants in the past few years and they bear watching as a garden plant. The trick is to get them into a fertile soil and then give them lots 9; water, usually Ministere des NORTH LEEDS LANTERN 23 daily until they are well established. Long periods without rain will also increase the need to bring out the hose. If you can‘t provide lots of water, plant the Impatiens where it will get noon shade. it you grow these plants in shade however, be aware that the variegation on wmawof , Natural Richesses Resources naturelles Ontario PRIVATE LAND FORESTRY SERVICES PLANTATION ESTABLISHMENT/WOODLOT MANAGEMENT Tree planting and woodlot management activities have been carried out within the United Counties of Leeds fir, and Grenville for many years. One of the earliest records of Provincial Nursery stock to be planted in the counties dates back to 1910. Private and public planting efforts are continuing through a variety of opportunities afforded by provincial agencies. *30,000 Eastern White Pine i Forest s similarily objectives are singular or diverse, available to discuss with you alternative The Ministry of Natural Resources, advice to individuals their land. MNR may enter in plantation establishment. for these services is than 5 acres, interested into an agreement The excluding buildings management advice for available to each in planting A province wide program exists whereby the with an a working land or other exis landowner. provides trees on Brockville, owner to assist requirement of no less structures. minimum base ting wooded areas is Whether your our field staff are approaches to maintaining or improving the quality of your woodlot. w;€;€;hr An added incentive is the Ontario Managed Forest Tax 1 Rebate Program. Landowners who qualify may receive rebates of 100% of their municipal taxes on eligible land. Further information on each Of these programs may be 1:; obtained by contacting the private land forests staff at 342â€"8524 or Zenith 73,0000. * Area of existing forest Jack Henry â€"Grenville Rep. (inamesiforeadi Ted DeVries â€"Leeds Rep. group - Leeds & Grenville County * 1,000 Other Softwoods Plantations *19,000 *11,000 Other Hardwoods ”33fi00 Ministry of Natural Resources .23000 &warMflfle P.0. Box 605 I a Red Maple Brockville, Ontario K6V 5Y8