megram - Index

megram - 55JulGTA - Index

than it would have without the topical application.The paint or
tar holds moisture near the new wound, which, unfortunately,
helps the various fungal decay organisms grow. Instead, simply
make a clean cut just outside the branch collar and leave it
alone. If pruned properly, trees can take advantage of natural
defence mechanisms to ward off most decay problems.
Myth: Newly planted trees need to be staked and guy-wired.
Truth: Staking a tree can hinder its proper development. This
practice was once a landscape industry standard,driven by a gardener’s
inner desire to do something good for the plant to help
it grow. It is best to avoid staking unless the new tree is located
in a windy or on a sloped site.Allowing the tree to sway in the
wind encourages the development of stronger stabilizing roots.
If staked, the tree may become dependent on this support, preventing
the root system from becoming strong and healthy. If it
is truly necessary, tie the trunk loosely to the stake using fabrics
such as T-shirts or bicycle inner tubes to avoid damaging the
bark, and remove the support after one growing season.
Myth: Sunshine focused through water droplets will burn leaves.
Truth: The diffused rays of the sun are not powerful enough to
cause burning. If it were the case that water droplets burned
leaves, farmers would encounter huge losses after each daytime
rainstorm. In fact, lawn care professionals often cool turf by
spritzing water over the foliage during the hottest part of the day.
In general, the best time to water most garden plants is early in
the morning because of higher municipal water pressure,a lower
evaporation rate, and the potential to reduce foliar diseases that
often occur in overly moist situations. However, if you have no
other choice, watering midday will not harm your plants.
Myth: When planting a tree or shrub, dig the hole twice as wide
and twice as deep as the root ball.
Truth: A planting hole should be twice as wide as the root ball but
no deeper.By applying this planting principle,you will encourage
the roots of a plant to grow out,which creates stability and allows
the plant to readily find water and nutrients.A good way to make
sure that the root ball is at the right depth is to place the top roots
so that they are parallel with the soil surface and then apply two
inches of mulch over them.Think of it as a “planting area,”instead
of a “planting hole.”Don’t add compost or potting soil when backfilling
the planting area.Most roots prefer to grow in these amended
soils instead of spreading out through the landscape.
References:
Green for Life
Gill Deacon
Penguin Canada, ISBN 9780143168430
• Electronic Recycling Association - www.era.ca
• Rechargeable Battery Recycling - www.rbrc.org
• Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore - www.habitat.ca
• Demystifying Garden Myths - www.taunton.com/finegardening/plants/articles/demystifying-garden-myths.aspx
July/August 2008 • 68 • Fifty-Five Plus Magazine
Myth: Drought-tolerant plants don’t need to be watered.
Truth: All plants need to be watered to become established.
Most drought-tolerant plants are those that can survive
through an average summer without supplemental watering.
These plants, however, are usually not drought tolerant in the
first year,and regular watering and an application of mulch are
good ideas.After that, you can pretty much allow them to fend
for themselves, but even the toughest of plants will benefit
from a monthly soaking.
Go Green
Award-winning Canadian broadcaster Gill Deacon has
just recently written a book called Green for Life that is a
practical guide to living the life we want, but with the
reduced impact on the planet. Well-known for her
involvement in environmental issues, Deacon takes us
through the stuff of everyday life and explains how to do
it with minimal environmental impact.Green for Life may
well be a must-have guide for people who know they
have to do something, but do not know where to start.
Irregular recyclables
If you are having difficulty recycling some of what we
could call irregular recyclables, here are some options that
might be available in your community.
For electronics, one can always contact the Electronic
Recycling Association at www.era.ca or 1 877 9-EWASTE that
collects and distributes unwanted computers to schools,
libraries and charities.
Cellphones and rechargeable batteries can be dropped of
at selected Home Depot, Future Shop, Canadian Tire and other
retail outlets for the non-profit Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Corporation at www.rbrc.org or call 1 678 419-9990.
Building supplies, tools, and renovation materials can be
given to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore outlets. For more in
information,check out www.habitat.ca or call 1 800 667-5137.
In addition, a reminder that clothing, books, toys and furniture
may be dropped of at your local Goodwill, Salvation
Army, women’s shelters and other institutions and associations
in your area.
Irene Morton, owner of Earth Spirit Garden Care, is an avid
gardener, spiritualist and traveller who lives in Kingston.