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Show 'hi J - THE DAILY HERALD, Prwo, UUh, 2x hattn't yet divided your 1ta thrvKartdi'mtims now is (tibiae to do it. all the buds except one or two is a cluster, then let the plant channel all energy into producing very large flowers. Your garden mums won't y$ien dividing clumps in the d , unx aivisioos rrom me oui-an- discard the woody &Msday, April 2, 1555 cea- - K I maintain healthy plants, teed two or three times during the season using a growing ' fertilizer. Remember that chrysanthemums need frequent Catering. If they have too iitik vtater, they'll develop woody stems and lose their lower leaves. TooVnucb water causes problems, like black and dropping leaves. Sturdy plants result from frequent pinching. Snip off (he top pair of leaves until at least Jure. This w ill cause the stems to branch out and form compact plants. If you are after blossoms, you'll have to remove low-nitro-g- qualky in pat mums than are men. piams, you may wast to thin cut Yoikr calls the best pot mum for your iris, although the best time to Mother's Day a "perfect 15." transplant iris is in the fall. That is the mum is 15 inches high, Iris grow rapidly, producing IS inches wide and has at least 15 rhizomes that crowd each other or fully opened flowers. grow over the tops of other rhiYou can enhance your gift by zomes. As you clean out your iris beds, you will probably want to placing it in a colorful spring basket or even in colored gift bag or remove some of the old rhizomes decorated hat box. One novel idea so allow the new to produce better. Iris have shallow root systems, is to place it in a watering can she and the won't bloom well if they can use indoors or outdoors. Another idea is to give her a are buried too deeply. Plant them selection of mums she can plant at ground level, with the tuber outdoors. Pot mums can be planted barely below the surface. Cut buck outdoors only in areas that do not the leaves when you are transplantexperience hard frosts, unless you ing them, and don't expect them to want to move them indoors during produce blossoms until next seathe winter, or simply treat them son. If you add fertilizer when translike annuals. Kardy outdoor mums, however, can also be a planting them, it is a waste to place wonderful gift for mom. They will the fertilizer any deeper than five continue to give pleasure year after inches because that is how deep the roots will grow. Don't plant the year. While you are dividing garden rhizomes too close; they'll spread I Garden Editor to, produce blossoms in time for Mother's Day, but there should be plenty of pot mums for your Mom. Yoder Brothers, America's leading breeder of mums, reports that women are demanding more prize-winni- soil, aad don't do too well in alka: . line soil. They also require plenty J A water daring the growing gja- - ; j son. Siberian ins also like acidic w$ and ample water. They require frequent dividing than some of (X2 rapidly ejscx;gh as it is. It isn't a good idea to mulch iris with compost or any other material because this may encourage root rot. Remember, they are shallow-roote- d. There's an old saying that any com will grow iris, but that applies mostly to bearded iris. The bearded varieties need soil wish good drainage and kits of sun. Without good drainage they readily develop root rot. Tail, beardless iris are very hardy and will spread rapidly. These will grow as tail as four to five feet. There are many plants that fall under the name of "iris . " Japanese and Siberian iris fall in this category. Siberian iris are easier to cultivate; Japanese are more exacting. These varieties are best planted in the fall, around August or September. Japanese iris like acid to neutral tj odier varieties. Dutch iris are the most teorj; and are often not hardy in CfaS climates. To save them, should take them up in the fall store them during the winter. Di$ j ing the growing season, they I water. of quire plenty Dwarf iris sre delightful sprfigJ bloomers, particularly for rxr4art soil that will grow JP tt plantings. There are an amazing array of other irises. Garden books list some of the species as Engl is, reticulata, aril and Pacific coast, Louisiana, Spanish and Spria. In all, there are around 300 different species. , Planting extra can feed the nation's hungry Thinking ahead to flowers garden surplus and distribute it through the community. Jeff Lowenfels, president of the writers' association, says the involvement of millions who garden could make a large difference nationwide. There are more than 100 million gardeners nationwide, he says. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the impact we will have on the hunger problem, ' ' Here is what you can do to share By JOAN JACKSON KnightRidder Newspapers . When planting a spring garden in the coming weeks, plant a few extra rows for the hungry. This idea of sharing is part of a national campaign by the Garden Writers Association of America this garden writer included. The goal is to eventually double even the amount of fresh food triple available for the hungry in our communities. It's such a simple idea, the only surprise is that no one thought of it before: a campaign calling for every person who plants a vegetable garden this spring to grow extra food for neighborhood food banks, church soup kitchens, care centers and homeless shelters. lts a nice opportunity to bring food to those among us w ho need it the most. Second Harvest Food Bank in San Jose will accept the Some produce travels and keeps especially well. Kitchens processing food for hundreds every day usually have limited storage space. Plant extras that with- stand handling: broccoli, cabbage, carrots, peas, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, summer squash including zucchini, winter squash, onions and beets. Fruit trees provide a wealth of good eating. Apples, pears, citrus, and firm peaches and plums are good bets. If you can't gather the fruit yourself, rather than let it drop or rot on the tree, call the food bank for help. Often the bank can send volunteers to strip the tree for you. If that isn't possible, ask the young people in your neighborhood to climb the ladder and assist in the harvest. Everyone likes to food: Whether your vegetable garden is large or small, till an additional row and plant something extra. If you usually put in four tomato plants, plant eight instead. ' If you plant a window box full of herbs, plant two: Fresh herbs improve die flavor of most anything. If you have a very small yard, double its productivity by planting more closely and by intercropping. If you have a big yard, put in more of everything. help. The idea is already growing. Thompson and Morgan Seed Co. is offering one free packet of vege table seed to any gardener interested in planting extra for this project. For a free seed package, send a stamped envelope to Thompson and Morgan, P.O. Box 1 144, Jackson, N.J. 08527. How to get the garden surplus food to those who need it most? One major outlet is Second Harvest, a nationwide network of food banks in communities across the country. Second Harvest distributes surplus food and grocery products through a network of nearly 200 food banks and almost 50,000 charitable organizations including food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters. The Second Harvest number in Chicago: Community advocates say there are 30 million Americans in danmany of ger of going hungry them are the elderly and children. Fresh produce is costly and they welcome your contribution. What to do about overgrown houseplants By LEE ROCH For AP Special Features i do this is by a technique called The advantage to this technique is that roots form along the stem while it is still attached to, and nourished by, the mother plant. With a conventional stem cutting, there always is the danger of the top drying out before roots form; not so with select a 6- - to To segment of stem a foot or so from (he tip of a branch. This is where the plant will form roots, so remove any leaves from that segment. Do not choose a portion too far from the end of the branch because older wood farther down along the stem is sometimes less inclined to form roots than is younger wood. Also, the whole purpose here is to make a short "air-layering- One trouble with houseplants is grow. Eventually, plants like rubber 3feet, weeping figs, vining and dracaena grow too for a room. And to make matters worse, as these plants press skyward, they also shed their leaving only bare trunks fm eye level. There is one obvious solution: f get f id of the old plant and start Jevery decade with a stocky, young itkat they fj philo-J&ndro- ns low-erlifav- J air-laye- plant. But what if you have a sentimen-- j tal attachment to your old plant? A more acceptable solution might be to make a new plant from the old friend. The easiest way to plant. Stimulate root formation by wounding the bark. This is hardly necessary with a plant like a which forms roots even in the air without any prompting whatsoever. But for other plants, make the wound either by removing a lA- - to wide strip of bark from around the stem, scraping the bark, or cutting a notch an inch or so long. If you make a notch, keep it propped open with a piece of a toothpick. It is not absolutely necessary, but it helps to dust the cut surface with a rooting powder, available wherever gardening supplies are sold. A dark, dank environment is needed to stimulate root formation. Take a handful of ." 10-in- ch r, n, philo-dendro- long-fib- er sphagnum moss, wet it thoroughly, then squeeze out excess moisture as you make it into a ball. Cut this ball in half and sandwich the wounded portion of the stem between the halves. Seal in moisture and hold the sphagnum moss in place with clear plastic film. Seal the top and the bottom of the plastic to the stem with a wrap of electrical tape. Then cover the plastic with aluminum foil to clude light. ex- In time, roots will fill the ball of hof-iveath- er r Newspapers Spring is just hitting its peak, and here I am thinking of summer. Of marigolds, vincas and begonias, of petunias, geraniums and hot-weath- er long-lasti- ztctzn m r39 WESTDC CUTTER' Si BUYING DRESSES! was ng I 4 tK iiiw w Wi kkJ) t makeover" r MAmrt I I I V I www iprtw P? IB V 95! w i r v iv I dmtltrj i J I Ely i III i PS 1 nI The SELECTION PLAN sr ,?SII00IIIM i u 1 siimsiiT juuiftffrs(Ovir -- Our New and r n Idiho, 98 and &aotmA rBf UUtAsb 0j?rAH:Y J' ' ' I ENTIRE ( S5rfeOfr . ."TT, apple prints 45 Wide I For more information call 8 a S2.67 yd X Boit Prtc . 00-729-8746 AS HOM VAM 1 1 ST0Ck PRINTS I PolyCotton DECORATING EASY HOME Practical Creative Idea for People mmrr. Busy xy rHomt Crafts Easy Window Treatments Sewlna Shortcuts Niftv mtions fkwm rtpftcr kj tttH J oS",C Hjaaei Fttria Tluraaa.Aa! feS 11 J b K -m m hi s net imi mmbm 4aKia M0ii.lrKtWM.Mai a. tun MtaaCa) i Miwn tm mutual if fl IKI FT-- i fl B B 4J Mr--r 116 ONLY. Intern Nevada, and 25 in Salt Lake City outside Salt Lake City MMSUNASCt I MUl 2MN. State ffil&MErst fUverdale Hpad IM W. 4m S. tXN.MAln .ESE3SI 11 I 1 m E. Z3 s. mESgSX jri rilBUIIIIItVlU 486-0- 1 SO DOtS INDIVIOVM WHGHTlOiS, ' CI WeMem Wyocnmg CAlifORDnMlS 225-887- ) g ,? - Our - 1 STADS SPECIAL of Values May not be combined with other discounts. y IMidli'JMili iml POLISHED 1 Good in Areas ! Hill SHOW DATES AND TIMES FAT & FIBER Uuh. South i t assortment ruffle LACE BUTTONS SatoMriStaiitM El I I Pay only the $9.00 Weekly Fee Save $21.00! i -- if n . Offer Ends April 29, 1995 3i i i I a Aim JUtiJ xJi FREE REGISTRATION! tm Pruhwnn.il Makeover :1 and Phntn fort I DOUBLE (5 l ! Easy Plan r i iifl Tittm Big Easter Parade I Classic Plan S ca r. TWO FOOD PLANS 2 por-tula- and sunflowers do better such stressful conditions, provided " , they get adequate water. Mfcfcidliif fln Come to a Weight Watchers meeting and discover how so many people are learning to lose weight 1 Vinca, zinnias, marigolds, Do you Uie your garden or deck mainly in the evening, as darkness below the root ball. If the plant is in active growth, wait until growth slows down before cutting off the FAT& FIBER PLAN 1 noon sun during the long, hot weeks of summer. anges. NEW i t, But before you select, you mug know where you will put theRf.i Perhaps the most important thjh to know is how much sunlight faw on the area after the leaves corne out early this month. A place that is sunny as a beach in March may turn shady as the woods by May. And some sunny spots are much hotter in summer than others "because they get the harsh afternoon sun instead of the milder morning; sun. Geraniums and some begonias which prosper in morning sm may not do well in the steady after- weekly. And many annuals, particularly geraniums, petunias and marigolds, benefit from quick removal of spent flowers the term is dead-headibefore they go to seed. Others, such as impatiens and vinca, bloom for months and months without this kind of tedious attention. These annuals are an opportunity to express yourself, to give your garden a bit of personality. Are you crazy for color? Choose your favorites from gentle pastels to blazing reds, yellows and or- im?troTm?7 : quick-growin- g and beginning gardeners choose for gardens. Lots of experienced gardeners love them, too. Planted in flower beds or pots, and rethey are easy, warding. But not foolproof. Some require the cool and dim of summer shade; some prosper in the heat and bright of summer sun . They all require water. Flowers in containers may need it daily in hot weather, but annuals growing in beds and protected by mulch may only need a good watering I PSST: With the exception of a ff$ annuals sucKis nasturtiums, zinnias, sweet ai sum and bachelor's buttons, I UMpi gardeners to buy young plants;! stead of seeds. Garden centers jsl? be overflowing this month wMJ bedding plants grown from seed under perfect conditions in bright greenhouses. Some annuals, such as impatiens, geraniums and begonias, take a very long tune tor grow from seed to flowering size. These flowers are among the first plants that young sphagnum moss. Every few weeks, take a peek beneath the foil, and when rooting occurs, cut the stem from the mother plant just air-laye- falls? Don't forget the value pf white and cream in a night garden and the disappearing act red apd other deep colors pull at night. Does scent carry as much value to you as color and form? You can have that with sweet wiliiams and sweet alyssum. By NANCY BRACK EY Knight-Ridde- Rivenhle Westl'mUey bait Lss.e Uyton t27-&Z?- K44775 n-zi- 4z S474m |