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12 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2004 Call for Competitive Prices on all your 2 The Secret to Successful Gardening » Whatis it that makes some _ to plants as needed, resulting material. gardeners more successful _ in less frequent watering. Peat is long lasting -- Peat than others? Are their Peat prevents leaching -- moss decomposes slowly thumbs greener? Is theirlove Peat moss stores nutrients over several years compared of soil and dirt so intense, from compost and organic to compost, which typically they compel their flowers _ fertilizer and prevents nutri- decomposes within one year. et etre for dota and plants into thriving ents such as nitrogen from Peat moss is environmen- through sheer force of will? seeping away. tally friendly -- Canadian WE SELL P PAINTS & S TAINS It's nothing so extraordi- Peat lets you cut down on sphagnum peat moss is a sus- nary. The most successful _ pesticide use -- Peat moss re- tainable resource, gardeners simply under- duces the need for pesticides accumulating 60 times faster stand, appreciate and use the by strengthening the lawn, than the amount harvested - basic principles of great gar- beefing up its natural each year. Peat moss is har- dening, including how to defenses that help fight off vested on less than .02 properly condition the soil. _ pests. percent of Canadian peat It works like this: A plant Sure, the results can be bogs, and bogs can be re- needs loosely structured soil impressive, but conditioned stored when harvesting is that provides its roots with soil isn't magic. There is finished. To return a har- organic matter, moisture, nu- plenty of science behind the vested bog into a functioning trients and air circulation. benefits that peat moss can _ peatland, peat growers -- af- Trees, shrubs, flowers, veg- bring to a lawn and garden. ter some preparation -- etables, lawns, seeds -- they Here's a quick peat moss spread chopped sphagnum all grow better when planted _ primer: from a virgin bog over the in soil conditioned with Ca- Peat aerates heavy soil -- _ site, then cover it with straw nadian sphagnum peat moss. It helps loosen and aerate to keep it from drying out. Gardeners who regularly clay soils to allow proper Within two years, a green use peat moss reap many root growth. carpet of bog plants covers benefits, including being Peat binds sandy soil -- . the surface of the restored able to use less water, less Peat adds bodytolightsandy _ site and, ina few more years, fertilizer and fewer pesti- soil tohelpitretain water and __ the site becomes a function- cides. nutrients. ing peatland once again. More peat moss means less Peat protects soil -- Peat The more you know about watering -- Canadian sphag- _ moss protects soil from hard- how peat moss helps a plant num peat moss holds up to ening, reduces the potential thrive, the better you can 20 times its dry weight in for erosion from wind and make the soil work for you - moisture, releasing it slowly heavy rains and adds organic - and your garden. ~) While Supplies 264 MAIN ST. N BR ' ACTON FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED 19-853-1970 p= NC nel | FAX ee 853-2542 « TORONTO LINE (416) 601-1259 Gas (So) © i es HOURS: Mon - Fri. 7:0Qam to 6:00pm + Saturday 8:00am to 4:00pm pti Framblay Decorating 519-853-4359 Join us in the Celebration of our NEW STORE OPENING MAY 1°° and Ribbon Cutting with Mayor Rick Bonnette and Councillors ' 430 Mill St. Acton - Beside Alexanian Carpets