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2 16 -The Canadian Champion, Fniday, May 18, 2001 è,,Gardening season -time to get down to earth By FANNIE SUNSMINE The Champion Once again, it's timneto dig out the old pants and shirt and get planting. "The officiaI date to plant annu- as is the May 24 weekend, but if it's going to be a frost weekend you can plant a few weeks aller," said Sean James, former president of' the Milton Horticultural Society. "You can plant perennials or sbrubs anytime of the year if they're pot- grown." Flowers sucb as junipers, sprieras and euonymus may be popular. but planting others may be a better choice. There are so many others you can draw on that do more interest- ing things," be said. "Virbumum are fragrant lowers that bloom in the spring and grow bernies in the fal. You get more bang for your buck if you step away fromn the more popular flowers." Five years ago pastel colours were popular for flowers but the brigbt colours are coming back into style, Mr. James said. "We're really falling in love witb the yellow and black leaves. Butterfly plants are popular; tbey have the lower witb nectar in it." If you tink beautiful gardens just bappen to grow that way, tink again. "A lot ofdesign process goes into the garden," be said. "Somte people like formai squares and geometri- cal shapes or rocks in their gardens. Others prefer English Cottage gar- dens, wbicb is a natural garden witb a mix of perennials that bloom ail season long. A formai garden bas straight bedges and paths." To begin the planning stages of a garden, planters sbould add organ- ie matter and compost into the soil, Mr. James said. "Focus on the layout features. Do you want a gazebo? A vegetable garden? Do you need a patio or deck? If you have a wbeel ban-el and shovel, you're off to the races." Most people figure out wbiat tbey want to do with their gardens and the type of equipment needed as tbey go along, he added. "For novice gardeners, I would- n't stant with seeds. Stant with pot- ted plants and ind out whicb ones are good for direct sunlight. For the more advance planter, try more exotic types of plants. Garden cen- tres will help to map out a garden plan free of charge, but 1 suggest to research and do it yourself." As for the physical labour that comes along witb caring for your garden, the amount of time spent depends on the type of garden you bave. "If you bave a formaI garden (a lot of space between the flowers) then weeds will move into the un- used soil," Mr. James said. "As for watering, as a general rule if you stick your fmnger mbi the soil and it's cool and moist it doesn't need water. Perennials generally don't need a lot of work, tbey're fairly Iow maintenance." Kids can belp momn or dad in the garden by belping to rid the soil of weeds, Mr. James suggested. "If they have to weed the wbole garden tbey'll lose intercst, but doing ih a little bit is fine. If tbey grow sunfiowers in cups they'll enjoy planting more. The more tbey belp you in the garden, the more they'll grow to love it and love nature." Should I wear boxers or briefs? Boxers or briefs? Al 1 wanted was underwear unlike the ones 1 had, meaning not wom tbrough and without boles. Wben I saw that tIhe package said briefs and came in colours other than white, I was aIl set. Or so I tbougbt. When I got theru home tbey tumed out to be boxer bricks. I tbougbt about taking theru back, but thon igurcd Id give theru a shot. Id neyer worn boxer-type undcrwear before. I didn't like ihlem. How shiould I put this - they donit hotd evMr- ting together. A lot of people remnember an ear- lier columrn in wbicb I said I'd walk down Main Street in iny underwear on New Year's Day if I didn't lose a certain number of pounds. Apparently, tbey didn't know I was kidding. Apparently, nobody knew I was kidding. Apparently, 1 could be in big trou-Pht yGAMPIN ble.PhtbyGAMPAN Tbat's wby underwcar bas Kay Baunsali of the Milton Horticultural Society tends to sonne Leopard Bane see 1 THINK on page 22 flowers in her King Street garden. THIsSSPRING'S HOTFESI TRIACTOR: Live Harness Racing Excitîng CGaming Spring Buffet Special Spring Buffet Special only $1 9.95* per person. Incudes Shrimp and Prime Rib Buffet, Free Progrom and a $5 Betting Voucher. Offer avoulable Mondays and Tuesdays until May 29. Coli 1-888-675-RACE for reservations. Hwy 401 at Guelph LUne. *Program and betting vouchier only avoulable with rasarvatians. Price doas flot includa bavarages, taxes or gratuity.