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Halton Hills This Week,Home and.Garden, Wednesday, A 21, 1993 — Page 5 Gardening from the ground up How many times have you plant- ed the perfect shrub or flower in the perfect spot only to find that it _ didn’t favor its new home? Plants thrive and flourish in soil condi- tions ideally suited for them, but you’ll rarely find ideal soil in your garden. Don’t get discouraged! You can always‘improve soil conditions to achieve healthier plant growth and better produce. But how is a gardener to learn all that needs to be learned about enriching garden soil without spending a fortune on a reference library, or enrolling in the nearest horticultural classes? Basic tips and information con- cerning soil improvements, under- standing pH, fertilizers (organic versus inorganic), and a plant food application schedule are included in _ * the 28-page, full color booklet enti- tled “Projects and Tips from Better Homes and Gardens, Lawn & Garden Guide”, being offered by four of the industry’s leading man- ufacturers. The guide explains that the secret to soil improvement lies in organic matter, in the form of peat moss, leaf mold, manure or compost. ‘Whenever possible, add organic matter to your soil in the fall. This gives microorganisms plenty of time to decompose it before spring planting. Then, after working in the organic matter, add any other amendments, such as bone meal or super-phosphate, for good root growth. Fertilizers also improve soil con- ditions, and Hoffman, the leading manufacturer in organic plant foods, decodes the numbers and symbols shown on fertilizer labels. ‘The numbers (such as 10-6-4) stand for the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, in that order. These are the major nutrients essential for plant growth. _Leam from the guide where each is best used in high percentages and about the “WIN” term, which stands for Water Insoluble Nitrogen, along with other garden- ing information about tools, starting seeds, creating a new lawn and much more. Foolproof houseplant feeding Spring and summer are the time of most active growth and bloom for the majority of houseplants, and the time when they most need fer- tilizer. The trouble is, these seasons may be your most active times of the year, too!’ New Miracle-Gro Plant Food Spikes solve the prob- lem. Inserted into the soil of a pot- ted plant, they release vital nutri- ents slowly, as plants need them, over a period of two months. What makes some food spikes better than others? Miracle-Gro Plant Food Spikes are based on the original Miracle-Gro formula, with something new added. The added nutrient is Nutralene, a recently- developed, dual-action slow-release nitrogen, which breaks down in the soil as it is dissolved by water and by microbial action. mM hold During these inflationary times, it is most important to keep the amount of insurance in line with the actual value of your home contents. In almost every case, people substantially under- estimate the total value of their furnishings and personal effects. The little time required to complete this Inventory could prove very worthwhile both for establishing an adequate amount of insurance, and in the event of loss to remember alll of your Possessions. Use one spike for every two inches of pot diameter; for exam- ple, three spikes for a six-inch pot. Each feeding is designed to last two months. New Plant Food Spikes from Miracle-Gro come with a handy soil aerator that makes an entry hole for the spike, eliminating potential breakage, a problem with other brands. The digging action of using the aerator introduces added oxygen into the soil, which stimu- lates root growth for healthier plants. TH. BRIGGS LSTERY Kitchen & her Chairs Rec. 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