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28 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday March 31, 2006 rV .; >. A ; k: y ;'- .- . ' Spring clean your home and your garden Start your garden this season by doing as management experts suggest: plan your work and work your plan. The first warmish sunny morning is the perfect time to take a cup of coffee into the garden and make a list of your goals for the new season. For example, if you want less lawn and more vegetable or flower garden this year, early spring is the time to stake out the new areas. Removing sod can be a tough job. To ensure you eliminate turf right to the root, wait until the thermometers hits 15° C / 60° F, then spray your chosen garden area with Roundup. Cut and turn the turf and you can plant tomorrow! Next, examine your lawn and garden to determine where you have to perform the essential rites of spring: clear, cut, prune, weed and mulch. Clear: Early spring is the time to pull away winter protective mulch from plants like fall-planted perennials and strawber ries. If you neglected to do it last autumn, you can also clear away last year's annual flowers and vegetables. Cut: Cut back ornamental grasses and dead stems from perennials now. But later this season, resist the temptation to cut back the foliage from flowering bulbs. These sometimes unsightly leaves are vital to storing food for next year's bloom. Prune: Dead branches on fruit trees, climbing roses, hibiscus and other woody stems. Weed: Spot spray a non-selective weed control product, such as Roundup or Scotts EcoSense Acetic Acid to destroy weeds while they're young between patio stone, in sidewalks or in the garden itself. Non-selec tive herbicides are also useful to eliminate weeds that can choke drainage ditches, so that weed growth doesn't clog the ditch and allow standing water to breed mosquitoes. Mulch: Apply Nature Scapes mulch, made from 100 per cent natural forest material to keep the weeds down and the moisture in. Replenish mulch around trees, shrubs and perennial beds. - News Canada Home repairs - safety first! Does your home need to be repaired or renovated? Think SAFETY FIRST. Hire a professional electrician to make any improvements or additions to the electrical system. Even tasks that appear simple, such as the installation of a baseboard heater or additional elec trical outlets, can be more difficult than they appear. If your are constantly blowing fuses or popping circuit breakers, it is time, for you to contact your electrician. These are signs of electrical problems that could cause a fire. Do not take risks. During your renovations, remember that you can avoid risks by scrupulous ly respecting the following tips offered by Hydro-Quebec: · Do you need to hammer nails or cut an opening in a wall? Shut down the electric circuits that serve the room where you are working. · Before repairing an electric device, disconnect it! · The circuits of your power distribution panel should be clearly marked to show the rooms and items serviced by each circuit. · Do you need to work in rooms con taining water -- like the kitchen or bathroom? Because water is an excel lent conductor of electricity, you should take the required precautions: ensure that all surfaces are clean and dry, ensure that your feet are dry, connect your electric tool to an outlet equipped with a differential circuit breaker, and ensure that electric cords and extension cords do not make con tact with any pool of water. · Do you need to replace a fuse? Before replacing a blown fuse, be sure that you have a replacement fuse of the same rating, place the master switch in the OFF position, and, before restoring current, reduce the load by disconnect ing a few electrical devices. If a circuit breaker pops, this same technique must be used, and the short circuit m ust be found. - News Canada M aple Grove United Church Maple Grove United Church is holding its 46th annual fertilizer sale on Saturday, April 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This sale has been a tradition in South / East Oakville and over the years has grown into the major fundraiser for the church. The church supports over 60 pro grams and activities in the community and the proceeds from this sale are used to fund capital projects for the church facilities. Maple Grove United Church is located at 346 Maple grove Drive in Oakville. If you are interested in purchasing fertiliz er, visit www.maplegoveunitedchurchuorg to order online, contact the church Office directly at 905.845.5721 or email mguc@cogeco.net 46th Annual Maple Grove United Church FERTILIZER SATURDAY APRIL 8th , 2006 Maple Grove United Church is having their 4 6 th A nnual F e rtilize r S a le on Saturday, April 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This sale has been a tradition in South/East Oakville and is a major fundraiser for the church. The church facilities support over 60 p ro g ra m s and a c tiv itie s in the Oakville community. The proceeds fund capital projects for the church facilities. SPRING SALE Why Buy Fertilizer from Maple Grove United Church? GREAT VALUE!! 1) No GST, No PST - Save 15% 2) Save On Package Purchases 3) Free Delivery on Prepaid Orders 4) Organic Products Available 5) Brand Name Suppliers CORNWALL RD. Exceptional Style & Value! This is your chance to save on the best home furniture and accessories. 2575 Dundas Street West (just East of Winston Churchill Blvd.) · 905-820-7409 IN THE MISSISSAUGA HOME & DESIGN CENTRE DESIGN ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE Maple Grove United j Church LAKESHORE RD. E. Visit our secure website to order ONLINE at www.maplearoveunitedchurch.ora or contact the church office at Maple Grove United Church, 346 Maple Grove Drive, Oakville 905- 845-5721