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16-The Canadian Champion, Frida. Aonil 8. 2005 Five easy steps to earth friendly gardening 111 ele Wuy 10 celeorate spring than by creating a beautiful, eco-friendly garden. With a tew simple practices and some help from the latest innovative garden- ing products yau can enjoy your own private oasis and do what is right for the environment too. Consider the foilowing "green" gar- dening suggestions: 1.- Cut Out the Chemnicals Wean your garden off ail synthet- ic fertilizers, pesticides and herbi- cides. These substances promote rapid but weak plant growth, destroy salit fertility and are toxic to humans, wildiife and beneficiai insects. Even organic chemicais are toxic, s0 use them as a last resort. 2. Use Wafer Wisely To reduce water use, amend con- tainer soit with SoiiSpongeTM. an ail naturai soli conditioner that adds up to 7 days between waterings. Disconnect your downspouts from the sewer system and direct water into garden beds or a rain barrel. 1It is good practice to use soaker hoses instead of sprinklers, and water early in the morning. 3. Feed Vour Soit Naturally Plants thrive in heaithy salit. Add compost or composted manures ta your sout early in the spring, whenever you plant or transplant, and again in mid-summer. "Compost adds organic matter to the soit, aîds in water retention and promotes biological activity. 4. Choose an Alternative fa Peaf Mass A peat bog is a highiy specialized ecosys- tem that removes carbon dioxide trom the air, is home to many rare and important plant and animai species and acts as a cieansing watershed filter. Damage from the remova of peat from bogs takes hundreds of years to heal. New PeatEliminatorTM, DAy MÇs Coileen Moodie Ilortzcultunçî ,Proud Ouwer Gardening services offered witb eatbusiasm and love of gardealng. Servicing the Milton/Campbeilville and surrounding area. Tel: (905) 878-4284 made tram cocafibre, a caconut byprad- uct, improves drainage, sait aeration and fri- ability and is the idea pH for nutrient uptake. 5. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch, and Mulch Somne More A thick layer (8-10Ocm) of shredded bark, bark chips. grass ciippings or shredded leaves spread on top of your gardien sot will retain moisture, deter weeds and add needed organic matter to the soit. "Spread mulch in the spring affer the soit thaws and again in late fait affer the soit begins to freeze. Keep muich 8 cm away from plant stems. - News Canada GET 'ER' DONE HOME IMPROVEMENTS '-Basements-Kitchens -Rec Roorns-Bathroomns '-Decks-Additions '-Shede--Fences--Garages Do -you need vour basementfinished? Coul us for a EMe Estimate! (905) 699-9339 IL0LOKING GOOD ~iLANDSCAPING *INTERLOCK - LANDSCAPE DESIGN -RETAINING WALLS & STEPS -PATIOS & WALKS -WATER FEATURES ARMOUR STONE - BOBCAT SERVICE - LAWN MAINTENANCE -& MORE (905) 330 13301 Lot us toach you overything you ever wanted to know about building a dock, at Cali1 store ta reserve seat - Limited Seating Available. 700 Main Street East, Milton Store Hours Mon"y,- FIay 7 SOasu 8 OOg. -Stra .. MV LOI O.U OULV i H0MEUqýýýýýý