Beware Miracle
Cures For Ailing Soil
A triciul recently asked me to
Ux)k over a new product that
claimed to add vitamins and bench -
cial bacteria to the soil. The product
had no chemical analysis of the
contents not any detailed informa
tion about its cflcct on the environ
ment.
I have seen numerous products
like the one he showed me. Without
exception, all ol these products arc
nothing more than a "snake oil" rem
edy for plants. Do not waste your
gardening budget on such nonsense.
Adequate light and water, a
healthy soil, and a reasonable Icriil
i/ation regime are required for good
plant growth. "Snake oil" remedies
arc no substitute for go<xl cultural
practices.
Plants require 16 essential nutri
ents for growth. Over l)0 percent of
the dry weight ol the plant is made
up ol carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and
oxygen (O). The plant obtains these
three nutrients from carbon dioxide
in the air and water.
The remaining 13 nutrients arc
supplied by the soil and arc classi
fied according to their importance
to plant growth.
Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P),
and potassium (K) are called the
primary nutrient elements because
they arc used in the greatest quanti
ty for plant growth. The fertilizer
grade (like X-X-X or 5-10-15) de
scribes the relative percentages of
N, P and K.
The secondary nutrient elements
arc calcium, magnesium and sulfur.
Calcium and magnesium are sup
plied to the plant through soil appli
cations of dolomitic agricultural
limestone. Sulfur is contained in
THE
PUNT
DOCTOR
r\
C. BRUCE
WILLIAMS
Extension Area
Turf Specialist
many fertilizers as by-prixluct of the
fertilizer manufacturing process.
The trace elements, or minor ele
ments, essential to plant growth arc
manganese, /inc. coppcr. boron,
molybdenum and iron. Trace ele
ments arc needed in extremely
small quantities and rarely are need
cd in the home garden.
Iron is the exception to the rule.
Azaleas and ccntipcdc grass often
show iron deficcncy in the new leaf
growth (yellow between the veins)
when planted in a soil with a pll
value above ft. Iron dcficney can be
quickly remedied through a foliar
application of chelated iron.
The sandy soil and high rainfall
of the Cape Fear region make con
ditions ideal for rapid leaching of
nitrogen and potassium from the
soil profile. Phosphorus is chemi
cally bound in die top several inch
es of the soil and docs not normally
leach into the soil profile.
The ideal fertilizer for this area is
one that supplies the correct quanti
ty of nutrients and is slowly intro
duced over the entire growing sea
son. Most commercial fertilizer for
mulations of nitrogen or potassium
are (cached out of the soil alter scv
cral inches ol rainfall.
I have found three practical solu
lions to maintaining high soil lertili
ty:
1. Use huge quantities of wcll
rotted animal manures. Optimum
results are achieved with early
spring applications on vegetable
and Dower beds.
2. Apply commercial grade ler
tili/.crs frequently, but in small
quantities. The application ol a
quarter cup of 8-8-X per 1(H) square
feet alter every two to four inches
of rainlall (or irrigation) will work
wonders on the vegetable or flower
garden. Double that amount for
leafy vegetables.
3. Incorporate slow-release fer
tilizers into the soil. Osmocote and
some of the locally produced sullur
coated urea nitrogen fertilizers will
produce excellent results with most
vegetable and flower crops. These
products are usually more expen
sive. but the saving of time and la
bor is well worth the cost. Most
commercial nurseries and green
house producers use this method of
fertilization.
Unfortunately, there arc no sim
ple formulations or easy solutions to
solve the problem of soil infertility.
A gardener is best prepared for the
coming growing season by learning
more about the soil, the nutrients
and the plants during those cold
winter months.
For more information on soil fer
tility and soil testing, contact your
local N.C. Cooperative Extension
agent.
Send your plant questions to The
Plant Doctor. P.O. Box 109, Bolivia,
N.C. 2X422.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Lower Cape Fear Hospice Seeking
Children's Festival Land Helpers
Lower Cape Fear Hospice is
seeking volunteers to help with
Children's Fcstivai Land, tt) be held
at Coastline Convention Center in
Wilmington in conjunction with the
Festival of Trees at the Wilmington
Hilton, Nov. 30 through Dec. 8.
All proceeds from both events
will benefit Hospice, an organi/a
Reunion Set
Alumni of Waccamaw School
will hold a reunion Friday, Oct. 25,
at Capt. Nance's Restaurnt on the
waterfront in Calabash, starting at 6
p.m.
Attendees will order from the
menu.
More information is available
from Crystal Stanley Meares, secre
tary, of Wilmington, 19-686-0405.
lion that provides a medically-di
rected program of care and sup|x>rt
for terminally ill patients and their
families in Bladen, Brunswick,
Columbus, New Hanover. Onslow
and Pender Counties.
Children's Festival Land will of
fer a creative, hands-on Christmas
experience complete with crafts and
a visiting Santa.
Bcih Schcdlcr, projccl chairper
son, is seeking individuals, groups
or businesses as Festival Land vol
unteers. Anyone willing to help is
asked to call her at 919-799-7146,
the Wilmington Hospice office,
9 19-762-0200, or 1-800-733-1476.
Yarns
OF WILMINGTON
Get Ready For Christmas
?Christmas Stocking Kits for Knitting &
Needlepoint.
?Christinas Pillow Needlepoint Kits
?Also Kits for Latch Hook Rug, Cross-stitch
& Needlepoint Gifts.
?New Fall Yarns. Just Beautiful!
lOam-4 pm Mon.-Sat. or by appointment
3401 1/2 Wriglitsville Ave., Wilmington ? 919-791-2157
Just arrived at...
Unusual Sweatshirts!
hu. 90-1 between Ocean Isle & Sunset (next to new rood Lion
Sweatshirts for Moms, Grandmothers, Cat Lovers,
Flower & Bird Lovers & More! Fun to give-Fun to wearl\
w
Also Halloween Wmdsocks, Stuffed Animals. Ceramic Gliosis, and Greeting Cards.
579-8984 ? Layaway now for Christmas ? Open Mon-Sat 10-5:30
1991 ThE B^wNSWCK BEACON
, --.'A F? ?
|fl And take home a bag of bargains!
All SUMMER
/-\L.L_ MERCHANDISE
50%-75% OFF
includes accessories and swimwear
NICE SELECTION FALL DRESSES
40%-50% OFF
All charge card purchases will be charged an additional 5%
*Layaway Now For Christmas*
? excluding sale items*
SALE ENDS 10/23/91
J-inclci and ^/cvun i HBoutujuz
"We dress you in style"
Thomasboro Road, Calabash, 579-7848
$ 1/ClRO
wr of tlr
moil tu
Hunters Receive Monthly Award
Edith and Robert llunter received the October Yard of the Month award from the Sunset Sands Car
den Club. Two profusely blooming mandevillas provide bright pink accents along the corner rail fenc
ing of their well-groomed landscape at 3H Indigo Circle, Sea Trails. The two will have lived in Sea
Trails nine years come December.
t StiSAN USNEH
Interpreters Will Share Carolina Heritage
Costumed interpreters will de
monstrate lXth century cry I is and
chores for Brunswick County fourth
grade students at Brunswick Town
State Historic Sue Oct. 22-24 from
10 a.m. to 1 :30 p.m.
The program is designed to give
area students a hands-on approach
to local history, said Brenda
Marshburn, assistant site manager.
It is sponsored jointly by the
Brunswick County Schools and
Friends ol Brunswick Town.
Lcland Middle School is sched
uled Tuesday; Southport and Bol
ivia schools, Wednesday; and Shal
loite and Waccamaw schools, Thur
sday.
Local volunteers and site staff
donned in garb from two centuries
past demonstrate such colonial
crafts as candle dipping and mold
ing, loodways, woodworking,
broom making, toys and games,
drop spindle, stenciling and rope
making.
Brunswick Town State Historic
Site is an agency of the North Caro
lina Department of Cultural Re
sources. It preserves the site of a
bustling colonial port and political
center and a Confederate fort.
| / Ot& ?4 (ttiioen&aicf, ^eie&nntio-a
OPTICAL GALLERY
Located across from Sandfiddler Restaurant- Hwy 130
SHALLOTTE
FREE GLASSES
Buy a complete pair
of RX glasses at regular
Wy price and get second pair
(same prescription) FREE!
For your free pair, choose any frame up to $40 regular reta I ara
plastic lenses. Offer includes most single vision ana bifocal pre
scriptions. Sonie lens restrictions apply. Tints, scratch-resistant
ccatmg and other options are available at additional cost. The free
pair must be for the same customer as the purchaseo pa r and the
price may not exceed the price of the purchased pair at regular
retail. Minimum first pair purchase price: $75.
This offer may not be used in conjunction w.th any other discount
Not applicable to prior ccers. Prescription required Offer exp res
Nov. 30, 1991 . Coupon must be presentea at time of purchase
We can arrange to have ycur eyes examined by and independent eye doctor next door.
JUST NEED ONE PAIR ?
Take 20% off complete pair of glasses.
Must be frames and lenses.
IVe can fill any doctor's eyeglass prescription.
OPTICAL GALLERY
CALL 754-4680 TODAY!
C.W. Austin. Licensed Opt. ci an
IT'S THE HALLOWEEN
CLEARANCE SALE
DON'T LET THESE LOW PRICES SCARE YOU!
There is so much to see at J Livingston s
Halloween Sale1 Our many dining and bed
room sets, occasional tables and accent
pieces-all in stock-are ready for immediate
delivery You II be pleasantly surprised at our
large selection of living room and family
room furniture. Come in today and save!
Rattan Arm
Loveseat
Oriental Bedroom
Group S1 .999.00 s999
ALL TREATS.. .NO TRICKS! Bed^oom^
Hurry!! Shop
Now For Best
Selection
$429
V
*749.00
Pastel Stripe
/ Sleeper
Sectional s2.499 00 s1,370i > ^
National Mt. ^ L ? - , [v
Airy Bedroom s4.600.00 s2,6oo"
*499.00 s249 ' r'
Pink Boudouir
Chair
Rattan Swivel
Rocker
/
*339.00 S1 89
*599 00 s329
s169 00 s99 <1
ll French Chair
Bachelors Chest
Assorted ? _ _ _
Loveseats Start *669 00 Start s299
Assorted
Tables
.. [Q L;j
'A
flil) *
r-,.r *
/ > ~ r- t) i
K
fl
Start 79.00 Start $99/ SAVE UP TO
^ All Spring Air C40n
Bedding Start *279.00 Start* 1
Recliners co-rn /
1 By Lane start *4 49 00 Start *279'
30?/c
o Off Retails
'A
All Pictures
\ ff Decorative .AO,
/ Mirrors Up To 40 >o Off Retail
All Lamps Up To 30% Off Retail
/
48%!
OFF SUGGESTED RETAIL
This -s only a sample oi our specials
OPEN MON - SAT 9 30
If
J. IJVIXGSTOX
Hwy 17. Little River (803) 249-6188
(