PAGE 14, WH1TIY FME PRES S, WEDNESDAY, MAY 24,1989 Sun and shade, thére are summer bulb ,.flowers for everyone Summer shacle gardens favourites, tuberous begonias are available in a variety offorms -- Icu-ge and small-ftouyered, and pendant-typefor hanging baskets -- and a dazzling ctrray of colours such as yellow, red, orange, salmon and white, bloomingfrom early June to late September in most parts of Canada. Summer means both sunshine and shade in Canadian gardens. The wann, bright weather provides excellent conditions for a host of sun-loving plants but it also means a canopy of leaves on deciduous trees. So gardeners here need to plan something special for the areas screened by foliage. There could be no bette-r choice for the summer shade garden than tuberous begonias. They have particular needs and are very fussy about their treatment. However, the fabulous color show they offer is well worth the trouble. For instance, tuberous begonias do not do well in windy spots, but they need good air circulation. They do best in humid areas but do not tolerate water on their foliage because it fosters mildew. They need bright light and cool air but drop their flowers in particularly warm weather. The collective term. tuberous begonias includes many more varieties than one might think. Since they result from cross-breeding, the variability is consi-derably large. Generally large-flowered types are the mo;a popular. They have double flowers in many colors -- such as yellow, dark red, orange, salmon and white. They grow to a height of 25 to 35 cm (10 to 14 in.) and flower from early June until late September ' or early October. Within this group can be found the Carriellia type, whose flowers they resemble. Small-flowered begonia are not as commonly used, yet they flower profusely, too. In fact, they can withstand adverse weather conditions -- such as more sunlight -- better than their larger cousins. However, the assértment is soriiewhat smaller. Nevertheless, 'Flamboyant' (vivid scarlet) and ' Mrs. Helen Harms' (soft yellow) are two of the best known. They are best suited to beds and balconiés. Anemone-flowèred dahlias are even more remarkable. Their tubular petals are strongly enlarged and form a disc in the centre of the flower -- a striking image to say the least. Theyll reach about 30 cm (12 in.) in height. The more familiar pompon, decorative, cactus and semi-cactus dahlias are popular as cut flowers and in deep borders. Dahlias are easy to grow. The soil condition. is not crucial, as long as it is not too wet. Plant them after the danger of frost has past. Just dig a hole 15 cm (6 in.) deep and lay them. in -with the, old 1, 1 ir,- , ds. flower 'stafk pointing upwar Dahlias are heavy feeders and like to have a layer -of, compost or well-decomposed > manure in which to He. The planting ' dis- tance varies according to the size of the plant. Tall dahlias need 60 to, 70 cm (24. to 28 in.) between SEE PAGE 15 Growing strawberries can be interesting and rewarding for the home gardener. Strawberries can be grown anywhere in Ontario. They are the firk fi-Wt to ripen and, by choice of suitable berries can be picked throughout the surnmer until late fall. Berries are delicious when served fresh and can be frozen, canned or made into jam, jelly or juice. With proper care, enough berries for a family can be obtained from a relatively small area. The plants also have ornainental value. Choose a sunny location. GIROWTH CYCLE Growth in our common varieties is affected greatly by temperature and length of the daylight period. In new plantin&% runner production occurs during the long days and warm temperatures of smzner. lhen, in the short, cool days of fall, rannering stops and flower buds form within the plant crown. In the spring, when plants start growth, days are too long for any new flowers to, fSin. The flower clu"rs already within the crown emerp mer a three-week period in late May and early June. Berries start to zipen four to five weeks aftei the first flowers open and continue to, ripen for about three,'Week& Tâwards the end of the harvest piuio&-.,whený.clffl-.am-lunË,fmd- ý warm, plants again ow runners which produce new pfaants. "Everbeaiine'varieties are less sensitive to temperature and daylength than ordinary varieties. Ibey, too, forni flowers in the fall, which develop into berries the next summer. However, during the summer they also fonn flowers which produce berries in late summer and fall. SOIL Type: Strawberries can , be grown in most garden Mils. However, they grow best in well-di-ùined, sandy loam soils which are well supplIied with organic matter. Gravelly soils can be improved by adding organic matter, but extra water and fertilizer are needed for good yields. Clay soils drain poorly and are hard to manage, but can be improved by adding organie matter. Planting on ridges also, helps if soils drain. poorly. Good drainage îè very important as strawberry roots do not grow well in wet soil. Previous Cropm Wherever :eble, plant strawberries in 1 - which has not grown strawberries, raspberries, start producing runners. Early-formed runner plants produce more berries than plants formed in late summer and faU. Fail planting is not recommendéd. Commercial plants are generally not available, in the fall. Plants: Use healthy plants which have well-developed crowns and many creamy or white mots. Obtain plants &cm the Ontario Strawberry Plant SOIL PREPAIRATION Weed&- In the year previous to planting, destroy quack grass and other perennial weeds. Do not permit weeds to go to seed. Organie Matter: A good supply of organic matter, in the soil is important. Organie matter improves air and water movement, favors growth of helpful soil organisms, provides nutrients, and increases the water-holding capacity of the soil. Manure applied at 8 to 12 litres per square metre (2 to 3 bu/100 square feet) is a good source or organic matter. Leaves, chopped hay or straw, peat moss, sawaust, grass clippings, etc., can also be used. Apply the organic matezial in the fall. Dig, rototill or plow it into the soil then so the material will be well decomposed by planting âme. If material other than manure is used, add ammonium nitrate at 10 to 15 grams per square metre to help decompoétion. Fertilizer.- In the spri'ag, apply a complete fertilizer, such as 10-20-20, at 50 to 75 grams pet square metre. Scatter it evenly and work it into the wil several days ahead of planting. MSt soils* in Ontario do not need a lime application. The roots may look dry, but it is usually best not to water them during storage because water can cause rotting. Plante DistanSw Straw- berries are usuallygrown in the "matted-row" system. Set plants about 60 cm (24 inches) apart in rows which are 90 to 120 cm (3 to 4 ft.) apart. Allow runners to develop and produce new plants to MI out the rows. The 'Iiill" Mtem is useful for poor-runnering varieties such as many of the everbearers. Set plants 25 cm (10 inches) apart in the row and keep all runners removed. In this system, yields are usually best if two or three rows are spaced 25 cm (10 inches) apart and then a walIdng space of 75 cm (30 inches) left between this group of rows and the next. Setting Plants: Use a spade, ehovel, or trowel to -set the plants. Dig the hole large enýýîg& that the roots can be placed straight downward but spread somewhat. The midpoint of the crown should be level with the surface of the adl. If crowns are set too, hi h, both crowns and roots may ry out. If crowns are buried, they anuther and rot. FU the hâle with " and press the soil firmly mumd the roots. Be Sreful ý that plants do not dry out during planting. lhe fine rôots will dry out in a few minutes on a sunny wine diýy if SSE PAGE 17 Propagation Program. These plante have been produced under guidelines designed to control viruses and other serious pesta. Information about sources of these plante - is available from offices of the Ontario Ministry of Agricultureand Food; Stering PlaMs: Cet plants as close to planting time as possible. Plants are usually sold in plastic bags without soil. If plants must be stored for short period% keep closed packages in the ,reftigerator until ýp1anting time, potatoes, tomatoesý peppers, or eggplants in the past four or live PLANTING years, This precaution will help Tirae: Plant in thë spring as avoid serious mot diwases such EKM as the ground can be as verticillium wilt and black root This aUows plante to and-i Strawbernes for home garde s