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Show See to Your Garden -- N ow j. ... - " by C. Jerome A utumn is here, Winter is coming; and if you want rich, green grass and beautiful flowers next Spring, now's the time to get crackingl Experienced gardeners prefer doing many of their chores in the Fall For one thing, working in a cool temperature is more pleasant, the sun no longer shrivels seedlings with its searing rays, and there are fewer jobs clamoring for attention. In addition, many things planted . 'y' I n?F? ,f Iv w " ''' ft Fall's the time for planting those hardy Dutch bulbs lor Spring bloom, (includes Daffodils st and Jonquils) Family Weekly, October IS, 1957 ,1 59 - - v, fit X- - 0) Loosen soil, then set bulbs In patterns to suit your garden. will reward you with better blooms and greener grass come Spring. Nareiiiuc Family JV ,'- - A little Autumn toil 12 K. " f x- - s "i, J Ventilate hole with conditioner Bulbs can be stored for the Winter in insulating perlite before planting trees or bushes. granules, protecting them from extreme weather changes. Late "IP I til ml now get off to a good start before cold weather sets in. Soil should be loosened, cleaned, and fertilized. Dead leaves and other debris should be removed so as not to smother new plantings. With your lawn cut close, dig up any bare spots and treat them with fertilizer and lime. Then dig out any weeds, cover the patches with a dressing of topsoil and peat moss, and sow two or three pounds of grass seed per 1,000 square feet. The bare areas may require twice that much seed. After rolling, the lawn should be kept well watered until green shoots appear or freezing sets in. Autumn is an auspicious time for planting grass because the seeds get less competition from crabgrass and other pests. Now, too, is the time for setting in hardy bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, and snowdrops. These Dutch bulbs are among the easiest garden flowers to grow and are practically certain to bloom. Daffodils are a particularly good investment, multiplying and paying attractive dividends for many Springs to come. The stately, erect shape of hyacinths makes them best for edging a driveway or walk. Larkspur, cosmos, and certain lilies are other flowers that can be planted in the Fall for Spring blooming. Most rose bushes, fruit trees, and evergreens can be set out now, too. To help insure that roots get adequate air and moisture, try mixing the soil with an inorganic perlite, which is made of granulated volcanic rock. This conditioner and insulator also can be used to cover bulbs stored over the Winter, protecting them against extreme changes in temperature and humidity. As for shrubs, these specimens will be more or less permanent fixtures in your garden, so place them carefully and be sure to leave lots of room between. They should be set in straight-side- d holes dug at least six inches larger than the ball of soil around their roots and watered generously. Prune away excess growth, look to the compost, clean and oil tools then relax. Spring, and the seed catalogs, will soon be here! : |