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24 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2006 Outdoor Power EquipmentOutdoor Power Equipment 20th Anniversary 2 Day OPEN HOUSE 61 Guelph St. Georgetown 905-877-0314 www.outdoorpower.ca Refreshments Coffee Donuts Friendly Knowledgeable Staff will be on hand to answer your questions! MAY 12 & 13 ECHO GT-200R TRIMMER SAVE AN ADDITIONAL $20 AT OPEN HOUSE ONLY! Regular $219.99 OPEN HOUSE PRICE $199.99 Full 2-year Warranty 21.2 cc engine with 300hour EDP rating 9.1lbds Rapid Loader Head Cluthed DOOR CRASHER SPECIALS MTD GAS POWERED LAWNMOWER $149.95 Open House Only Quantities Limited 905-873-9791 INDOOR & OUTDOOR FURNITURE PATIO FURNITURE CAST ALUMINUM 10 YEAR W ARRANTY LARGE SELECTION BEST SELECTION IN HALTON HILLS! 136 Guelph St. Georgetown (opposite Christ The King School) FREE DELIVE RY/ SET-UP OPEN7 DAYS AWEEK Furniture Hut LEATHER SOFA GALLERY SOLID W OOD BEDROOMS Acton Home Hardware 519-853-1730 LOOK FOR YOUR HOME HARDWARE FLYER IN TODAYS ISSUE! Mulch not just for looks Many homeowne r s choose to mulch because they enjoy the well-cared- for look it gives their landscape. But, they may not realize they are also providing many benefits for their trees. With mulch the result can be a better growing environment for trees and their roots. Homeowners should be aware that, generally, the root system of a tree spreads out, not down. The roots of most trees extend out a significant dis- tance from the trunk. Most of the fine absorbing roots of trees are located within inches of the soil surface, says Jim Skiera, Executive Director of the Internation- al Society of Arboriculture. These shallow roots are es- sential for taking up water and minerals for trees, and they require oxygen to sur- vive. A thin layer of mulch, spread widely, can provide a healthier environment where these roots grow. Properly applied mulch provides many benefits to the health of a tree. Un- like trees growing in a forested environment, ur- ban trees are not typically planted in an optimal en- vironment for root growth and mineral uptake. Typi- cally, urban environments are harsher with poor soil conditions and large fluc- tuations in moisture and temperature. Applying mulch can help reduce the stress of such conditions through these benefits: Helping to maintain soil moisture with less evapo- ration -Reducing the number of weeds -Providing insulation by keeping soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter Protecting from dam- age caused by l awn equipment such as weed- eaters and lawn mowers Improving soil fertility, aeration, and drainage Mulches are either or- ganic or inorganic material mixtures that are placed over the soil surface around the base of a tree. Mixtures consisting of various types of stone, rock, pulverized rubber, and other materials are labeled as inorganic. Because these types of mix- tures do not decompose, they need replenishing less often. However, this also means they do not improve soil structure, provide nutrients, or add organic materials to the soil. Inorganic mulches do still provide other benefits such as insulation, and protection. Organic mulches consist of wood chips, pine nee- dles, bark, leaves, and other products derived from plants. These mulches de- compose, thus are very beneficial in improving soil quality by replenishing nutrients. They do however require more maintenance because decomposition creates the need to replen- ish more often. Dos and Donts In order for mulch to be beneficial, it must be ap- plied correctly. All things in moderation should be a homeowners mulching motto, says Skiera. As beneficial as mulch is, too much can be harmful in more ways than one. Too much mulch can create ex- cess moisture that may lead to root rot. Other problems created by over mulching include insect and disease problems, weed growth, sour smelling planting beds, and chewing rodents. To ensure the health of your trees and plants, fo l low these p rac t i - ca l mulching t ips t o landscape like the pros: Thin is better. Apply a 2 to 4-inch layer of mulch unless a drainage problems exist then a thinner layer is recommended. Do not add mulch if there is already a sufficient layer. Instead, rake the old mulch to break up any matted layers and refresh the appearance. No volcano mulching. Avoid placing mulch against the tree trunks. If mulch is already piled against the stems or tree trunks, pull it back sev- eral inches so that the base of the trunk and the root crown are exposed. Mulch Wide. Mulch out to the trees drip line or beyond if possible. The International Soci- ety of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Cham- paign, Ill., is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research and edu- cation around the world. Garage sale items could be hazardous With the new garage sale season upon us, Health Canada reminds Canadi- ans that with the bargains, comes the chance that some items might present safety hazards. Buyers should also be aware that the safety laws that apply to the sale of new products also apply to the sale of second-hand items. Vendors are responsible for ensuring that all items sold or distributed at garage sales, flea markets, and second-hand stores fulfill the requirements of the Haz- ardous Products Act and the Radiation Emitting Devices Act, (REDA). The REDA Act covers such items as microwave ovens, UV fa- cial lamps and personal tanning equipment. Resold items must also meet cur- rent standards. To assist vendors and buyers, Health Canada con- tinues to make its bulletin entitled Facts for Garage Sale Vendors available. This bulletin provides safety information about common garage sale products, such as childrens sleepwear, car seats, baby gates, playpens, strollers, and sports equip- ment. On a special note, garage sales may provide a source of good, gently-used blinds or window coverings. Ex- treme care should be taken when installing these items in their new surroundings to ensure that the cords as- sociated with them do not endanger children. The tragic circumstances sur- rounding fatal and near-fatal accidents from window covering cords are often associated with older prod- ucts. These products can be adapted to be much safer. More information on safety surrounding these items is available on Health Can- adas Blinds and Curtain Cords website (http://www. healthcanada.gc.ca/blind- cords ). It should also be high- lighted that in Canada it is illegal to sell baby walkers - either new or used. Ad- ditionally, anyone with a baby walker is advised to destroy the product prior to disposal to ensure that it cannot be reused. For more information on the safety of second- hand consumer products, visit the Health Canadas web site at http://www.healthcan- ada.gc.ca/garagesales or call 1-866-662-0666. E-mail inquiries may be sent to: cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca (Please indicate the province or territory from which you are corresponding). Recycle... carbon. Both nitrogen and carbon are required for suc- cessful composting. Grass clippings are also useful around trees, shrubs and vegetables as garden mulch, helping to enrich and moisten the soil. In the Fall, mulch leaves into the lawn. They are also an excellent source of nutri- ents for the lawn. Continued from page 23