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"A Family Tradition for 128 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, May 9, 1995 -17 a Vo Basic Soil Preparation To achieve any kind of success in gardening, you will need to commit your- self to building and maintaining rich, healthy soil. Soil improvement is an on- going process that will reward you with fertile, well-drained, aerated, loose, evenly textured soil. It will be filled with worms, fungi, bacteria and other organisms that will help maintain its health. Like the plants it brings forth and sup- ports, soil is alive and changing. Gardeners should put as much care into building and main- taining soil fertility and structure as plant selec- tion, plant care and gar- denedesign. Preparation of a soil bed area should begin when soil is n&ither too wet or too dry. Working the soil under either con- dition can greatly dam- age its structure. Before preparing your planting bed, pick up a clump of soll and roll it into a ball. If the ball is putty-like or rubbery, it is too wet to work. Wait a few days until it dries out a bit more. If the soil is too fine or dry to roll into a ball, water the area evenly and wait a day or two. If your garden area has never been worked before, remove all sod and weeds either mechanically with a rototiller or tractor, or by hand. Compost the removed weeds and sod. Enriching Soil Naturally For most flowers or vegetables, it will be suf- ficient to turn and work the soil to a depth of about 10-12 inches. However, the deeper the soil is worked, the bet- ter--especially for deep- rooted crops. Before you turn over the soil, spread a one- to four-inch layer of compost or other humus over the area. This layer should be deeper if you are working with very poor soil. The compost should consist of a decomposed mixture of raw organic materials like leaves, grass clip- pings, well-aged manures and kitchen wastes. If you do not have your own compost pile, you can usually collect leaf mold and grass clippings from the local public works department, and manures from horse sta- bles. Work the organic mat- ter into the garden bed to a depth of at least four to six inches. It is easiest to work in the compost by working the soil in strips. Begin by digging a trench den preparation about one foot wide and shovel out the top 10-12 inches of soil. This soil can be set aside to fill in the final trench of the bed. Dig another trench alongside the first and put its 10-12 inches of soil into the first trench. Continue this pattern until the entire area has been worked. } After the entire bed is loosened, turned, and the compost fully integrated, rake to smooth and level the soil surface. Finally, lightly water the bed to settle it. Soil pH Most garden plants grow best with a soil pH between 6.2 and 6.8, which is slightly acidic. The pH of a soil is impor- tant because essential plant nutrients become unavailable if the pH is either too high or too low. A general rule of thumb is that areas that receive little rainfall. with warm temperatures usually have alkaline soils or higher pH, while areas - that are temperate with high rainfalls usually have acidic soils, or lower pH. To know for sure, you should have your soil tested. Contact your local county service extension for information on where and how to test for pH, or you can purchase a soil testing kit from most gar- den centers. If you are preparing a bed for plants that need acidic soils, like azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons or dogwoods, add equal parts of peat moss, decomposed pine needles and compost to the root area where the plants will be planted to a depth of at least 18 inches or more if possible. This mixture should be pre- moistened before being incorporated into the planting hole. GARDEN CENTRE (PORT PERRY FEEDS) 40 VANEDWARD DRIVE, PORT PERRY 55-989 & 3 NER NAS wi Soo: others to choose from BULK SEEDS peas, beans, com, onions, potatoes, bulbs and many many more! FLOWER'BOX PLANTS impatients, pansies! marigolds, petunias plus VEGETABLE BOX PLANTS 89¢ 95¢ Variety of Hanging Baskets $40°° Peat Moss 3.8 cu. ft. $5.99 Topsoil $2.00 Per Bag * Triple Mix - 30 litres * Coco Mulch - 85 litres (approx. 60 Ibs.) $6.50 * Sheep & Cattle Manure - 18 kg. * Weed "N Feed (10-6-4) - 20 kg. bag $2.69 $13.40 $2.59 Large Selection of Lawn Seed "It pays to advertise... Advertise where it pays..." The Port Perry Star & Weekend Star Call (905) 985-7383 Robert G. Eckel GREENHOUSES - Serving You Sor 41 Years - (Fa) dodo] Mo lUl Eo. \V/.\|W.\: {HS LOA TAVAL GU Sg Ke] Sl =. Th + GERANIUMS + FUCHSIAS + BEDDING PLANTS 0] oL-To lr dle F-\VI- J WVIT-T-114 CHORE: Tg (ol Hol0 N o]yy) West side of Hwy. 12, 1/2 mile north of Thickson Road TI CTEETE (0) 655-4411 BRAWLEY RD. SPRING BAZAAR - Audrey White of Brooklin was just one of many vendors selling their wares at the annual Community. Nursing Home Spring Bazaar last Saturday. Audrey shows off some of the beautiful decorative crafts she had on display. Unfortunately, over the weekend the nursing home was broken into and proceeds from the event were stolen. Police are investigating the theft. Nursing Home News Another busy month By Margaret Cavill On March 15 the resi- dents enjoyed the Monthly Birthday Party which was hosted by the ladies of the Presbyterian Church. Res- idents sang accompanied by Carol Morrow on the pi- ano, played games and en- joyed birthday cake served with their tea. On March 16 a craft demonstration of much in- terest was presented by June Johnstone. To celebrate St. Pat- rick's Day a discussion on Ireland was held followed by a "Green Tea." Every- one was encouraged to wear green with Hilda Gross taking the prize for the best green dress. One event that has be- come a popular annual event is the Irish Buck Auction and this was held on March 23. Many resi- dents were down bidding on a variety of items with the chocolate Easter bun- nies being the most popu- laritem. Due to the fact that we are unable to obtain a bus during the day that will accommodate wheelchairs it has not been possible to take the residents on as many trips away from the nursing home as we would like. However, on March 29 after rounding up as many cars as possible a trip to Haugens for lunch was areal treat. On the afternoon of March 30 - 150 cream filled Easter eggs were made to be sold to family members and staff. Celebrating birthdays in April are Daisy Russell (7); Jennie Bailey (8); Sa- rah Henley (10); Eva Sut- cliffe (10); Edna Post (11); Nan Edmiston (11), Doro- thy Magowan (17); George Hunter (22); Mae Co- chrane (22) and Annie Do- herty on the 26th. Many happy returns to all of you. The year of travel con- tinues and April has been set aside to learn about Holland. Fortunately, there is a member of the staff from Holland and she has very graciously held discussions with the resi- dents. On April 5 a pastoral tea was held to thank the min- isters and the volunteer church members for their participation and help in bringing pastoral care to the residents. It is that time of year once again when many ac- tivities are geared to- wards the Annual Spring Bazaar. Everyone has been busy baking and the men have been working hard at woodworking, so plan to attend Saturday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p-m. Along with nursing home items there will be over 40 vendors on hand. Many thanks to the United Church women for hosting the April Birthday Party. Irv. Gibson sang and everyone enjoyed a sing-a-long, a quiz and poems were read. Follow- ing the entertainment cake and ice cream was served. The highlight of activi- ties for April has to be a trip taken on the 21st, at 5 p.m. Residents boarded a bus to Maple Leaf Gar- dens in Toronto to see Stars On Ice. En route a picnicdinner was served. Bowling, library, mo- vies, and gardening were some of the other activi- ties available to those wishing to participate.