Avoid Some
Gardening Goofs In '94
Seed catalogs and fireworks sig
nal the new year, hut somehow I am
just not ready. What happened to
1993?
A wonderful aspect of gardening
is that each year you are forgiven of
all (or most) of your past horticultur
a! sins aiiu can Mat i wiih a ciean
slate. 5 have put together a list of
New Year's resolutions that may
help you avoid some mistakes in
1994.
?Keep fertilizer on your lawn
or garden.
Properly applied fertilizer on
lawn or garden will not cause pollu
tion problems. However, fertilizer
that falls on the sidewalk, street or
storm drain will go directly into
creeks, rivers or ponds and poten
tially can cause eutrophication (ex
cessive aquatic plant growth). This
misapplication of fertilizer is caus
ing terrific environmental problems.
Be careful when you apply fertilizer.
. .and that includes all types of com
posts and organic fertilizers.
?Plant and evaluate at least two
species of bedding plants new to
you.
Try planting some of the drought
and heat-tolerant bedding plants that
thrive in our environment. Some of
these may be hard to find in garden
centers, but persistent gardeners will
be rewarded. Check out African
daisy (Dimorphotheca sp.), blanket
flower (Gailtardia sp.), Dd'nlberg
daisy (Dyssodia sp.), globe ama
ranth (Gomphrena sp.), lisianthus
(Eustonma sp.), portulaca
(Portitlaca sp.) and treasure flower
(Gazania sp.)
?Use native or naturalized
plants.
^Jonf h*? rr* NmhK C2R?!ln2 ll3S
unique soil, water and environmental
conditions. Plants that evolved in this
region have the advantage over the
imported exotics. In general, native
plants will require less care, less pes
ticides, less irrigation water and re
sult in more attractive plantings than
many of ihe imported ornamentals.
Examples include the Southern
wax myrtle, magnolia, yaupon holly,
red maple and the Carolina cherry
laurel.
?Compost all waste.
Composting makes sense. Do
your garden a favor and establish a
compost bin. Unlike the "hole in the
ozone," composting organic waste is
an environmental concern that
everyone can do something about.
?Use vegetable, fruit and flow
er varieties with genetic resistance
to pests.
Plants have natural defense mech
anisms against disease, insect and
nematodic infestation. These defense
mechanisms are genetically con
trolled. In many cases the plant
breeder can incorporate "genetic re
sistance" to pests into a plant variety.
Widespread use of genetic resis
tance in garden plants can reduce the
use of pesticides and help you grow
a healthier plant.
Check with your county Co
operative Extension Service office
for plant variety trial results of pest
resistant plant varieties.
?Maintain the soil reaction
(pH) at a favorable level for plant
growth.
The acidity or alkalinity of the
soil (pll) is the single most impor
tant factor influencing the ability of
the soil to provide nutrients to the
plant. In general the ability of a
nhnt to nutripntc frt-\rr\ thf>
r " MV* IIMUIVMM *?*
soil is greatly diminished when the
soil pH is above 7 or below 5.5. Be
aware that some plants actually pre
fer a slightly acid soil (like cen
tipede grass, azaleas and hollies).
The bottom line message is that if
your soil does not have the right pH
then you are wasiing your time and
money putting on fertilizers.
See your N.C. Cooperative Ex
tension Office, get a soil test and
modify the pH of your soil.
?K cop trees and shrubs proper
Coastline Squad Makes 86 Calls
Volunteer Rescue
Squad made X6 calls during Decem
ber, reports squad spokesman Sha
ron Martin.
Ut those, 22 caiis were for mutual
aid to the Shallotte area, two to
Calabash and one to Southport. The
volunteers logged 2,484 miles.
The junior squad has been certi
fied in cardiopulmonary resuscita
tion, blood-borne pathogens, haz
ardous materials awareness and
communications. The members have
been assigned and riding on the am
bulances since November.
Junior squad member Todd Pruitt
is making backboards for his project
and certification for Eagle Scout.
This year Coastline adopted a
family ioi On Chn^inks
Even, 11 members loaded an ambu
lance with one set of tires, a bicycle,
a router, clothing, food and school
supplies, purchased with donations
and through discounts from busi
nesses, and delivered the gifts.
Also this holiday season, Santa
visited the squad building for four
days, talking with area children and
having photographs made.
j ??? Announcing. . .
WEIGHT WATCHERS
Organizational Meeting
Monday, Jan. 17, 5:00 PM
In the Hospital Dining Room
THE BRUNSWICK
HOSPITAL
Hwy. 17 S., Supply
A Wide Range Off Services
... By A Team Of Professionals.
From allergy evaluation, to correcting sinus and sleep disorders,
liie medical team ai Di. Mark A. Lizsk's can diagnose and treat
even the slightest condition. As an adult, you might be tempted to
treat an allergic or sinus condition, as a burden you will just have
to live with. But it doesn't have
to be that way! A team of trained |
professionals, at the offices of
Dr. Mark A. Llzak, has the _
many ye^rs of experience,
the medical expertise, plus
with the latest in state-of
the-art equipment, we're
able to quickly pinpoint a
probable cause and reason
for vour condition and can
take proper remedial action.
For example, your snoring
problem, might possibly be
solved by the removal of a
breathing obstruction. Or a
hearing loss could be ear
wax build-up. A few simple
tests could provide all the
answers, because ...
There arc some things you just don't need to live with!
Mark A. Lizak, MD
Hoard Certified Specialist: FAR, NOSE & THROAT
Conveniently located in the Doctor's Office (implex
at the Brunswick Hospital, Supply, North Carolina.
For Appointments Call: 754-2920
ly pruned.
In the forest, nature and the "wild
beastes" keep trees and < hrubs
pruned. A cardinal rule of pruning is
to remove all dead or dying limbs
from a tree or shrub. Otherwise you
will be condemning your plant to a
Mioiicncu life ?|WII.
Prune plants at the appropriate
time of year and use the correct
techniques.
?Use Integrated Pest Manage
ment practices and reduce pesti
cide use.
The use of proper fertilizers, culti
vation. pruning, yard waste disposal,
variety selection and irrigation can
drastically reduce the use of pesti
cides. Use pesticides only as a last
resort.
?Properly maintain your lawn
grass.
You can obtain superb mainte
nance calendars free for all types of
lawn grasses from ycur local Co
operative Extension Service office.
?Join a botanical garden or ar
boretum.
Plants and people make a great
mix. Gardens add to the beauty and
diversity of modern civilization. Get
involved with "plant loving" people
for fun and fulfillment.
?Plant "bird-friendly" plants.
Plants like sawtooth oak, crabap
ple, sumac, pyracantha, wild plum.
hawthorn, holly, nandina, American
Beautyberry, dogwood, autumn
olive, red cedar and Amur honey
suckle produce berries that birds
love to eat.
?Recycle your Christmas tree.
Christmas trees make excellent
ciomoii control fcnccs. !n a program
started by the Brunswick County
Cooperative Extension Service of
fice. Christmas trees are used for
beach renourishment on Brunswick
County beaches. Cumberland, New
Hanover, Robeson and adjoining
counties have helped the effort by
coordinating their recycling efforts
by sending some of their trees east.
Contact your Cooperative Extension
office to find out more about
Christmas tree recycling projects.
Have fun with your garden in
1994!
Send your gardening questions or
comments to The Plant Doctor, P.O.
Box 109. Bolivia. N.C. 2X422.
Quilt Winner
Carla Robinson (left) of Shallotte wins a sampler quilt sewn by
members of the Carolina Shores Quilters Guild and donated to
Lower Cape Fear Hospice for a fundraising project. She was pre
sented the quilt on Christmas Eve by Laney H Inn ton (right) com
munity relations and volunteer coordinator for Lower Cape Fear
Hospice. The event brought in about $900 for Hospice programs,
Blanton said.
ropR*
?FREE CONSULTATION
?Golfers & Visitors Welcome
? AA<v ^ 'Handle ALL Types OF
SB o03-249-97o7 chiropractic cases
(Across from Hardees) Hwy. 17, Utile River, SC *N? Appointments Necessary Jr robin labod
x ' ' Ol 993 TWE BHUNSWlCK BEACON
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"Boneless"
Tyson/
Holly Farms
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Western
Anjou
Pears
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Whole Fryers
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BOWL!
r See
^Tombstone .
Pizza & r
Miller Lite I
Display In [|
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Extra Lean Fresh C I U Details.
Pork Picnics
Big 8 All Meat
Gwaltney
Franks JV Lb. Crunchy Carrots
2 Lb. Bag - Crisp
USDA Inspected ? rt.? I Tender mm i Green
Sirloin Tip Yellow ' f CBt Zucchii
Roast Lb. I Squash ? ^^Lb. I Squash
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15 Ct.
Kitchen Size
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Everyday Low Price!
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Reg. $1.29 32 Ox.
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