Oakville Beaver, 5 Oct 1994, p. 24

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all is renovation time in the garâ€" den. The ground is digging soft for transplanting perennials shrubs and trees to better locations for esthetic or cultural reasons. Plants purchased in containers may be set out until midâ€"November. Midâ€" Fall is renovation time in the garden October is the cut off date for transâ€" planting evergreens and herbaceous perennials. Smaller sizes may be moved with a root ball until early November. Deciduous shrubs and trees may be moved until early December or until freezeâ€"up. Birch, corkscrew hazel, laburnum, holly, magnolia, Japanese and red maple, mountain ash, oak, tenâ€" der dogwood, viburnum, excéept bush cranberry and walnut are best moved in the spring. When planting from containers or moving trees bare root, check for girdling roots. Container grown plants sometimes grow roots circling the outâ€" side of the root ball. These should be pulled straight or a downward cut made to sever them. If a tree has stunted growth, scorched leaves and dying twigs and branches, Davey Tree Expert Good plants are kept in place or moved; marginal plants may be kept in place, moved or removed. Poor plants are also removed. Removing a plant may be followed with replacement. Methods of determining plant condiâ€" tions are suggested. The next chapter on Executing the Plan considers the completion of the job in the following order: 1) Remove plants that cannot be saved, rejuvenated or moved; 2) renovate or rejuvenate plants that will remain in place; 3) move any existing plants that can be saved and used in other locations; 4) install nonâ€"plant improvements such as paving, fencing, pools, and small strucâ€" tures; 5) select and install all new plant material being added to the renovation plan; 6) renovate the lawn and ground cover areas. If the garden looks like it needs a complete rejuvenation there are many books: Designing a Garden", by Allen Paterson, published by Camden House, is a good 150 page guide to planning and planting. A practical guide is ‘"Landscape Rejuvenation, Remodeling the Landscape", by Bonnie Lee Appleton, published 1988, Story Communications, Pownal, Vt, 05261. The thesis is that renovation is required when many of the plants need removal due to their poor condition or their location. A plant evaluation chart allows each plant in the landscape to be classed as in good, marginal or poor condition. The next step is to list the changes to be made in the plantings and any other structures. These are put on a plan of the property producing a landscape design. These procedures certainly show a path through a complex task. After the garden cleanâ€"up, look for areas to improve the view or ease maintenance. Slopes which are a nuiâ€" sance to mow are a common problem. Consider replacing the slope with a low wall possibly topped with a dwarf lilac. There are many types of brick that fit together without mortar available at garden supply and lumber yards. The color and texture should agree with the color of the house. A walk with inset steps may improve an entrance way or front yard. Low walls along the founâ€" dation will hold acid loving plants and blend the house into the garden scene. Cedar logs, treated wood and standard bricks are other alternatives and are less costly to build. Remove soil from around the base of the tree to expose underground girdling roots. Remove them the same way as above. If are many girdling roots, gradually remove them over a two or three year period. This will allow replacement roots to grow between removals. Look for girdling roots when a tree shows any sign of stress such as lack of response to fertilizer, watering and pruning. The leaves may take on a dull yellow tinge and drop early. A surface girdling root may be removed from the trunk with a chisel or saw. Avoid injurâ€" ing the other roots. For larger than threeâ€"inch roots remove one third of the root each year. Company suggests looking for a girdling root. A tree with a "telephone pole look" may have girdling roots that prevent the trunk from flaring as it enters the ground. Usually there is one flat side as most girdling roots do not extend completely around the trunk.

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