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Show THE SENTINEL Thursday, April 26, 1979 Pog 3 Try Gardening for Relaxation Plants, Trees, Shrubs on soil testing and fertilizer application. Fertilizer should be added durd ing garden soil preparation. leaves, compost or similar material also should be added at this time. Spade or rum the soil to cover fertilizer and compost material and thoroughly mix into the soil to a depth of six inches, if possible. Plant the garden according to the proper dates for your area. Information on planting dates, plant spacing and depth of planting often is available at your local garden center. Take care of the garden. Cultivate with a hoe as often as needed to control weeds and break the crust of the soil. Stay shallow so you don't Grandmother kept a few plants inside her home, and likely as not, grandfather was an excellent vegetable gardener. Today, more and more people find relaxation and enjoyment in home gardening. The satisfaction of growing your own garden and the enjoyment of home grown vegetables are not difficult to achieve, but it does require some planning, and timely care, according to The Fertilizer Institute. Well-rotte- First, choose the garden site. Make sure it has full sun, if possible, and is conveniently located to a water supply. Soil should be the best available, with good texture, and well drained. ' injure the roots Make a sketch of your garden space and plan the location of plantings. Select only those vegetables you know your family likes. Don't overplant, and steer clear of space "hoggcrs," such as vine crops, unless these are special favorites. of your plants. Mulch with straw, dried lawn clippings, leaves, sawdust or pine straw to conserve moisture and control weeds. Water the garden only when neces sary to maintain a uniform moisture supply. A good soaking once each dry week will do for most soils. Light, sandy soils need more frequent water applications. Control insects, diseases and plant pests. Disease control begins with disease resistant varieties. Check your garden daily. As soon as disease or insects become a problem take recommended control measures. For insects, identify the pest and use a recommended insecticide. Harvest your garden. Select the vegetables that are at the correct stage of maturity for use. Don't let them stay on the plant too long. And. don't be discouraged if your first garden experience results in some failures. Good gardeners are made, not bom. Then, figure out what you did wrong and right this year, and begin your planning for an even more enjoyable garden next year. Fight Air Pollution When you plant a tree or shrub in the yard or hung a house-plain your living mom you are contributing to better air quality. Not as quickly recognized, but equally as valuable as exhaust controls and smoke stack . filters, is the role of nature's green gifts in the fight against air pollution. The leaves of trees and plants take dust and particles out of the air and hold them until rain or a watering return them to soil. As a result, the air you breath is cleaner and fresher thanks to help from the green growing plants of nature. Plants add another essential ingredient to air purification by absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and giving off oxygen in return. Carbon dioxide is a basic essential to plant growth while oxygen is essential to human life; so. a basic relationship exists between the life support environment of plants and human beings. Human beings exhale carbon dioxide w hich plants need and lake in oxygen which plants give off. In your home or office potted plants help keep the air fresh by absorbing carbon dioxide in the air and emitting oxygen while at the same time adding beauty and style. According to the American Association of Nursery inen. using plants to help clean up air pollution is one more example of '"Green Survival." Each new pluming helps in the process and means something positive in our altitude about our Buy good quality seed and plants. Plant only those varieties recommended for your area, unless you like to experiment. Ask your garden center specialist, nurseryman or county extension agent if you need advice. If you're unsure of the fertility you may wish to have Specially- garden soil tested. prepared fertilizers, formulated with vegetable plant needs in mind, are available for today's garden crops. Follow directions for use on the fertilizer bag or container for proper application. Again, your garden center specialist, or county agent can advise of your soil, " Year Honors a Flower of the Centuries The Palace of Knossos on the Island of Crete is reckoned to be over 4,000 years old, and on the walls of its ruins visitors today can see paintings of a yellow rose, probably the "Persian Yellow." Even further back in time, roses were cultivated by the Chinese as early as the Shen Nung dynasty, about 2,737 to 2,697 years before Christ. ed Archeologists trace the history flower much earlier in this planet's history with evidence that it thrived during the Eocene Epoch some 60 million years ago. It is fair to say the loveliest bloom in the Garden of Eden was the rose. of this favorite tribThis year a ute is being paid this favorite of with nineteen people world-wide, national groups and professional scientists joining in sponsoring "The Year of the Rose." Throughout 1979 special recognition is being given this living symbol of love, friendship and peace. Nurseries and garden centers and rose catalog firms are featuring significant events and offering to occasion, and highlight the year-lon- g every home gardener is urged to par- ticipate. The way you treat your money after the sale is as important as how you treat your crop before. First Security can guide you on the best use interest return for proper length of time-t- hat of your money-hi- gh can make the difference between a good year and a bad one. Call us. ; The rose is surely one of our most colorful and meaningful links with the centuries past, and it is important that we recognize its message of love, friendship and peace in this "Yearof the Rose." -- OF UTAH, N.A. MEMBER FtHC |