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WIIITY FRE RESS, "WDNESDAY, Jffl 19,,1991. PAQE:25 New garden oce Afler a few years of planning John Van Staveren recently open ed The Garden Mart, Whitby's newest garden centre. Van Staveren was formerly the garden manager at John Brouwer Garden Centre in Ajax, and that experience bas helpedl him in his new venture. The Garden Mart, at 775 Taunton Rd. E., is a complete garden centre, with nursing stock. «I've lived in Whitby ail my A local couple have started a Whitby franchieof aU.S. com- pany that got off the ground 10 years ago and ia now flying high. Joan and Bruce Down operate Wild BirdB Nature Shop in the plaza at the northeast corner of Garrard Rd. and Dundas St. E. The storespciliin nbr feed and feerand one in Peter.orouh are the first Ontarl loatinsand only the third and fourth in Canada of the franchise operation known as Wild Bird.a Unlimited i the U.S. Joan Down lýaya interest ini wild birds and bird-feeding ham grown as «People are becoming more eiîvironmentally aware of nature." mhe DowÀns provide different types of seed, including black sunflower seeds that are eaten by a lare variety of birds;, black and white sunflower seeds; and, a big favourite of finchea, niger seedi, fromn a amaîl, black thistle plant grown in Afric'a. Suet, a mixture of seed and rendered fat, la popular for win- ter feeding1 and there is even ««parymix, which mcludes roas- tepeanuts and raisins. Feeders came i a variety of shape. and sizes, some with twin silos," nome with suet holders at both ends. There la a variety of wrought iran, used to hang fee- ders, from which ta choose. Fee- ders for hummingbirds appearas round, glass jars turned upside down. 'There different styles, juat like homes," says Joan. Most important, the Downs provide tipa an feeding and how to attract certain bfrds. They have information books, binoculars, and varlous items that relate ta bird.. «Its just very very interest- ing,» says Joan aIbut the hobby. "You get a lot of knowldejs by talking.» ldeje There have been mayvsitora ta the store since it oenda few Jeim Càarpenter of Indianapolis Indiana made bird feeders sncf sold them from his home before starting Wild Bird. Unlimited 10 years ago. There are now 75 Wild Bird. stores in the U.S., with the first (Janadian locations in Vancouver and Kamloops, B.C. The fifth Canadian location of Wild Bird. Nature Shop will b. in Perth, Ont., in 1992 or 1993. Bruce Down was a wholeaale seller of bird seed for four years before the Downs met a Pete r- borough resident who operated a bird specialty shop. AIl three learned about Car- penters franchise operation, and the Downa had the idea for their first busines venture. ARNTS TOPSOIL For qu ick reliable service cal 683.008e, 7 F- Rc.dmnd R *M. fW~ 40L1L ntre in Whitby life, Vn Staveren said. "This is wher I wanted to set up this centre." Van Staveren has buit up a large clientele during hie years in the gardening adlandacape field. Instead of expanding the exist- ing centre, Van Staveren would like, mi future, to open amaller centres at varlous locations. «I really want ta, provide per- sonalized service, so I will stay with a smaller centre." [I RotainIng Wals *Top Sali - Sand - Curbs *Réckeiy Stone - Gravel Firewood - Limestone - Pins Mulch -Patio Slabs - Treated Timbers-1 Gardening more popular With the nineties' focus on the environment, more homeowners than ever are becoming involved with gardeninfg and landscaping says Shlýaron Birzvilkis, owner ýot Astin Gardon ini Oshawa. Compostera have been one of the hotteat items this season, she says. The new understanding of the environment has even car- ried ta, gardening. Birzvillcis feels that vegetable gardens will become increasingly ppular. Besaides environmental pro- ducta, more gardeners are look- ing for a challenge. Water gar- dening seems te be the latest phase. Birdfeeders are another item - bS I that ha. found renewed interest. "People realize that if you feed the birds ail year round, they stay with you.» With the hot weather rifi earlier this year,' "We have had to water like we would in AuLnIst, Birzvilkis. «Its harder on the new plants." While the return ta nature is on an upswing, so, too, is the insect population. «With the hot weather, there are more bugs, and we will soon have» the gypsy moth in the area.' The gypsy moth, like the ear- wig, blanets certain areas. The motha feed on oak, poplar and even pine. BRUCE AND Joan Down recently Dundas St. E. Thie store offérs every- opened Wild Birde Nature Shop at 1916' tbing from feeders to special feeds. Fr.. Pr. photo Business is for the birdls HY-HOPE FARM PASTURE PUTT PAR 3 GOLF Looking for a place to try out golf without the pressure > We have turned 15 Acres of rolling hMis into a practice course. Good for the whole familyl Take your time to watch the farmn in action 15 miles nodh of Whitby, on Lakeddge Rd. Rentais Availabie For oreinformation, cal: 655-3091