LL The Canadian Champion, Friday, May 16, 2003-19 L-'~ 'ÀV~'AŽ~/JNL £S~ Qfr~2~L~LL~ ~'1v~I vHarwoods can help tackle th pesky garden/lawn pests -By Ted Brown, staff writer After having endured a particu- larly bitter winter, it's no surprise that local gardeners are itchy to get the yard in shape. This time of year, many flock to Harwoods Horticultural Soil Farm and Garden Supply to pick up all those items to get that yard looking great. "Spring is a welcome season, with the return of the birds and buds," says Grace Harwood, co- owner of the company, "But with them come along those unwant- ed lawn and garden pests, like grubs, small rodents and weeds." Harwood says many cus- tomers are concerned about using natural means of restoring their gardens and yards. There are so many concerns- what types of fertilizers and chemicals to use, and should they be organic or non-organic, along with deciding which type of mulch to use, and how much. "A seasoned gardener knows a beautiful garden doesn't just happen overnight," she says, "Ideal growing conditions can almost ensure a flourishing lawn or garden, but dealing with areas where the soil has been neglect- ed or altered can be something of a challenge." Grace and her husband Todd, along with the staff at Harwoods, are knowedgeable in all thxose areas, and are willing to offer expert advice to customers who drop by their 12144 Steeles Avenue location, west of Hornby. "Tackling garden pests is quite a chore," says Harwood, "Most garden centres carry the latest chemical solution to rid gardens of all sorts of bugs and weeds, but for those concerned, we have a few organic solutions Jake Harwood, 9, Junior apprentice for his parents family run & operated business, Harwoods Horticultural Soif Farm and Garden Supply, located on Steeles Avenue. The outlet offers all sorts of decorative stones, soils and mulch, as well as a variety of alternative environmentally friendly solutions to pest control. which are effective, environmen- tally safe and easy to use." For instance, Grace says one of the more effective solutions for white grubs is the use of parasitic nematodes, which actively search out the larvae of the grubs and enter them through a natural body opening or through their skin. Once inside, the nematodes will excrete bacteria into the larva, converting it into food. Within a few days, the larva dies and the nematodes multiply and leave the larva in search of another host. "Nematodes are an ideai enemy to the white grub, Japanese Beetle, and May and June beetles, ail of which can do significant damage to lawns," says Grace, "The best part about using them for pest control is the fact they are non-toxic to humans and animais." We will soon be carrying an organic granular solution for stagnant water called BTI, to combat West Nile Disease. In addition to selling various products dealing with pest con- trol, Harwoods also carries all sorts of decorative stones, mulch, river stone and chipped brick driveway materials. And, naturally, the family business was built on the sale of topsoil. Harwoods makes it easy to have all their materials delivered, since their truck is designed so they can load two types of soil at once, eliminating the need to make a second trip. In addition to the soils, stones and pest control products, they carry a full line of garden tools, lawn and garden furniture, as well as bulk grass seeds and fer- tilizers. Harwoods is open 8 a.m.- 6:30 p.m., from Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call 905- 873-1900. Open Holiday Monday, May 19, 9am - 2pm. 12144 Steeles Avenue ExtenWys th4e 1Lte of Yoir Eemïp>net Now is the time to give your Outdoor Power Equipment a tune-up! Briggs & Stratton has all the maintenance products you need to extend the life of your engine. Just pick up the Briggs & Stratton Maintenance Kit you need from Halton Power Equipment or let us do it for you. You can be assured your Briggs & Stratton powered equipment will start up easy and run at maximum performance! "Your Power Source" HALTON POWER EQUIPMENT À Parts & Repairs For Ail Small Engines 20 Main St. W. Milton A . 905-875-3286