in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ay 24 ,2 01 8 | 50 www.concretetrimmings.com CONCRETE FREE ESTIMATES 905-844-5518 1-888-944-5518 uality At Its Best! Call Fernando www 1-888-944-5518 • DRIVEWAYS • FRENCH CURBS • PATIOS • STEPS • WALKWAYS • GARAGE FLOORS ExposEd aggrEgatE (pebble)Interlocking & Concrete Specialists • Pebble Concrete • Stamped Concrete • Interlocking • Flagstone • Walkways • Garage Floors • Patios • Driveways • Curbs (French) Call Mario 905.842.7171 sunmarlandscape.com Interlocking & Concrete Specialists ™ (NC) With warmer weather comes the risk of ticks, which can affect ev- eryone in the family, including your pet. As a dog owner, you want the best for your four-legged friend. An impor- tant part of their care is protection against fleas and ticks, but are you armed with the knowledge you need to protect them? Fleas and ticks are more than just uncomfortable annoyances. They can lead to serious discomfort and diseases, such as tapeworm or Lyme disease, which can be dangerous for both your dog and your family. Although peak flea and tick sea- son starts in the summer, fleas can survive indoors during the winter and ticks thrive in cooler temperatures, so it's important to continue to pro- tect your dog year-round. There are multiple options avail- able to help prevent and control fleas and ticks depending on your needs. It doesn't have to be an unpleas- ant or difficult experience for you or your dog either. For example, you can choose a once-a-month chewable flavoured to taste like a treat, so it's fun to give to your dog. The once-a- month chewable ensures your pup is flea- and tick-free throughout the year. Talk to your veterinarian about flea and tick treatments that will keep your pet and your whole family healthy, happy and safe all year long. Warm weather brings tick risk for the whole family Are you a gardening novice looking for some easy-to-grow plant varieties to get started with? Here are a few foolproof op- tions for you to try this summer. 1. Marigolds Deep golden yellow marigolds grow eas- ily and require little maintenance: all you'll need to do is remove wilted flowers as they appear and water when the weather gets really hot. Their pungent smell acts as a natural repellent against aphids, among other pests. 2. Tuberous begonias Tuberous begonias grow to be about 30 centimetres tall and wide. These bulb plants grow in full sun or partial shade, in fresh, well-drained soil. They come in all sorts of shapes and colours, from yellow to pink to bright red and even white. 3. Cosmos These large flowers are perfect for flow- erbeds. They bloom throughout the sum- mer and attract butterflies. Plant them in full sun and don't over water, as they prefer a drier soil. Using compost is not recom- mended for cosmos, which would become too big and require a tutor. 4. Geraniums Colourful and easy to care for, geraniums only require a little bit of effort. You'll need to regularly remove wilted flowers and yel- low leaves to stimulate healthy growth. Wa- ter them with fertilizer-enriched water once the surface of the soil is dry. Ready to get your hands dirty? For sure- fire success in the garden, ask the experts at your local plant nursery or garden centre for advice. Advertorial Four easy-to-grow outdoor plants In addition to being easy to grow, mari- golds act as a repellent against certain insects like aphids. HOME & GARDEN HOME &GARDEN