Special Features - Home and Garden Guide

&2013

Guide

Bashaw StarBashaw Star A d v a n c eCastor A d v a n c e weekenderweekenderA supplement to:

PAGE 2 2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE MAY 2013

SUNBRITE GREENHOUSESUNBRITE GREENHOUSEOPEN DAILY: Mon. to Sat. - 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sun. - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.OPEN DAILY: Mon. to Sat. - 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sun. - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone Betty at 780-372-2158Phone Betty at 780-372-2158Located off Hwy. 53; 13 km east of Jct. 21Located off Hwy. 53; 13 km east of Jct. 21

at Bashaw or 6 km west of Jct. 56.,at Bashaw or 6 km west of Jct. 56.,Range Road 202Range Road 202

SPRING HAS BLOOMED.SPRING HAS BLOOMED. Come to the greenhouse toCome to the greenhouse to

see the great selection.see the great selection.

For all yourbuilding needs!

JIM RENSCHLER CONSTRUCTION LTD.JIM RENSCHLER CONSTRUCTION LTD.

35+ years experience

Box 22, Botha, Alta.Tel: 403- 742-5034 Fax: 403-742-5311

Creating the garden of your dreams means either calling on the services of a landscape professional or diving headfirst into the project yourself.

Of course, landscaping a yard requires a great deal of time, but it is definitely a great opportunity to let your imagination run wild. Before you get down to work, here is a list of all the necessary steps to follow to turn your dream into reality.1. Planning is vital

Use your survey or certificate of location to check the site for any easements. Take note of hours of full and partial sunshine, undesir-able views, which corners to high-light and which to hide. Find out about current municipal regulations concerning landscaping. Have your soil analyzed, locate the areas that are exposed to wind, and determine your hardiness zone. 2. Identify your needs

How will you use the space? Do you want to install a pool or a spa? Do you need space for a children’s playground? Would you like to cre-ate a water garden or a dining area? Hang a hammock or plant a veg-etable garden? Think carefully about all your needs.3. Make a plan

Using a pencil, eraser, and graph paper, draw a scaled plan of your property. Include the house, shed, pathways, driveway, and any trees and shrubs you want to keep. Then add all the elements of your new layout, taking into account the veg-etation and structures you wish to include. Don’t be afraid to sketch out a variety of plans; it’s easier to make changes on paper than it is

once the work has started.4. Choose your plants w ith care

Before buying anything, take the time to make a list of all the plants you have chosen, including the hours of sunshine they need and the care they require. Be sure to consider the size of the vegetation once it has reached maturity — this is especially important if you want to plant trees and shrubs.5. Spread out the work

Spread the work out over more than a year so that your project doesn’t develop into a source of stress. Give priority to the jobs that require qualified workers and any machinery (pool, water garden, parking area). Establish a realistic time table that takes your budget and your time availability into consid-eration.6. Consult the experts

Landscaping is an investment that

could increase the value of your property. Don’t hesitate to consult an expert if you have any questions. It is better to spend a few dollars straight away rather than have to redo already completed work.7. Stay in control

From the moment your garden starts to take shape, you will have to start maintaining it. No-maintenance gardens are a bit of a myth. Weeding, watering, and pruning can take either a few minutes every day or a few hours once a week —so, don’t wait for the work to pile up. Learn to delegate; family members can contribute to yard upkeep, and gar-deners can be hired for weeding and for bigger seasonal jobs. 8. Enjoy it

The last rule is definitely the best: have fun! Make the most of your dream yard and enjoy your favorite pastimes there. You deserve it!

Your dream garden in eight steps

MAY 2013 2013 HOME AND GARDEN GUIDE PAGE 3

DESTINATION:

3 Week SaleMay 3 to 23

6607-50 Ave., StettlerStore Phone 403-742-8319Automotive 403-742-8404

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Whether your cooking with gas or charcoal this behemoth has you covered! 680sq. in. Gas side, 460 sq.in. Charcoal side

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160cc Honda OHC engine. Tri-Action® cutting deck for aconsistent cut and mulch every time

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Perhaps you’d love to renovate your home but the expenditures involved are making you think twice. But what if you were sure that the changes you are plan-ning will help you to resell your home? Some renova-tion projects can help you obtain a high enough sale price to recover your out-lay.

Among these proj-ects is the addition of a fi replace, a prized asset well worth the expense for many people. New, good quality windows made of PVC, wood, or aluminum will improve the appear-ance and comfort of your home, all while reducing heat loss. If your roof is showing signs of ageing, it

will boost the value of your home to replace it.

If you have to decide which rooms to renovate, be aware that the kitchen and the bathroom get the most attention from potential buyers. If the fl oor cover-ings in these rooms include carpeting or linoleum, you won’t be wasting your time if you replace them with wood or ceramic. Installing ceramic tiles in the shower will help to give a bathroom a special cachet that can also boost resale value.

When carrying out reno-vations, keep all your bills so that you can show them to potential buyers. These will demonstrate how recent your renovations are and prove that you have been taking care of your property. During the renovations keep careful track of your expens-es so that you can be sure to recoup them when you sell the home. And remember that people are ready to pay more for a property that has been renovated with profes-sionalism.


Niconna’s GreenhouseNOW OPEN

Nick & Donna Kozak (780) 879-224011067 - 602 Sec. Rd.

From Alliance: 13¼ miles east of AllianceFrom Coronation: 1¾ miles west of junction Sec. Rd. #872 & Sec. Rd. #602

Large variety of bedding plants, herbs & vegetablesAlso urns & hanging baskets

Stettler Mall, 6610 - 50 Ave. 403-742-5600

Front Tine Tiller159 cc, 6.5 ft. lbs of torque. OHC engine.Manual recoil start. 21" tilling width, tillingdepth is adjustable from 11", 16" and 21". Tines are11" in diameter and forward rotating. 2 year warranty. (3-9-3026) Reg. 399.99

'Visit us for all your home & garden needs'

April 29 to May 26, 2013

Valley GreenValley GreenLandscapingLandscaping

Bobcat ServiceLandscaping DesignWeekly Maintenance

Spring Clean-UpsRetaining Wall Systems

Bobcat ServiceWeekly Maintenance

IrrigationLandscape Design

Call Carl Blundon403-740-6739

[email protected]

Profi table renovation projects


12 km (7 miles) west of Castor, or 3 miles east of Halkirk on Highway 12. 38157 Rge. Rd. 153. Watch for sign off highway, and turn north for 2 1/2 miles.

* Supplier of Beautifi cation Hanging Baskets & Planters for the towns of

Stettler, Castor and Coronation

Howe’s GreenhousePhone 403-884-2651

Email: [email protected]

OPEN DAILY - 10 A.M. TO 7 P.M.

GREATSELECTIONOF QUALITY, LARGE RESIN CONTAINERS- Many shapes

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Ornamental Grasses

Gift Certificates Available

12” & 14” Hanging Baskets


Rubber DuckRubber DuckYard CareYard Care

Box 167, Stettler AB T0C 2L0Box 167, Stettler AB T0C 2L0

Lana GrossLana Gross403-740-3595403-740-3595

Home Consultations • Shades & Blinds • Soft Treatments • Fabrics & Hardware

THREE HILLS

403.443.5192STETTLER

403.742.1965Fax 403.443.2407Cell 403.443.0664

Bev’s ValancesBev’s Valances

Custom window coverings and more

Beverley [email protected]

Many amateur garden-ers have difficulty choos-ing plants for a shady area. Al though the options were extremely limited up until not so long ago, it’s a very different story these days. Now, garden centres offer a wide variety of suitable plants that add beauty and interest to any type of flow-erbed.

The first step in creat-ing a shade garden is to

realize that “shade” is not always easy to define. Very few budding gardeners can say if the site in question is shaded or partly shaded. Indeed, shade isn’t static and varies greatly through-out the day and season. Over a few days during the summer season, note how many hours of indirect sunlight and total shade the area receives. Then choose suitable plant varie ties with

care, taking into consider-ation leaf texture and plant shapes, which are impor-tant factors in any shade garden.

A last piece of advice: most shade plants require rich, cool soil. To create the right conditions for them, spread a thick layer of shredded leaves around their bases in the fall. As they slowly decompose and become humus, the leaves fertilize the soil.FERNS

Finely cut fronds create

a spectacular effect.BLEEDING HEART

Pretty pink or white heart-shaped flowers dis-tinguish this shrub.HOSTA

Although able to grow just about anywhere, it flourishes well in the shade. Experienced gardeners mix different varieties in shad-ed areas to create beautiful colour contrasts.HEUCHERA

Dozens of showy variet-ies feature richly coloured leaves.

SE CORNER OF HWY. 12& RANGE ROAD 24-0, TEES, AB

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Shedding a little light on shade gardens


YOUR POWER TEAMHEADQUARTERS

AFTER HOURS TELEPHONESales: Regan Finlay: 780-372-2043

403-740-6494(cell)Terry Jobs: 403-740-9473

Parts: 403-742-8327General Manager: Tracey Peters

We’ll give you the edge this spring.

Husqvarna 122CThis curved shaft trimmer is a perfect choice for homeowners. The Smart Start engine is designed to start quickly with minimum effort.

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Husqvarna128CSimilar to 122C, this curved shaft trimmer will make yourtrimming easy with its powerful 28 cc engine.

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$17999Husqvarna 128LWhen you need to get in those hard to reach places, put this straight shaft timmer to work in your yard. Lightweight design makes your garden work a breeze.

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Husqvarna128RJHave a large property? Looking to clear some trees? Thispowerful unit is lightweight and ergonomic. Robust andpowerful, this brushcutter featres the Smart Start engine for simple starting (single harness included).

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Husqvarna 128RSimilar to the 128RJ, this slightly more robust unit makes those larger jobs a breeze (standard double harness included).

28 cc * 1.1 hp * 11.1 lbs/5.1 kg * T25 (L) trimmer head * 255-4 grass blade included

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See your local dealer for details. Promotion ends

July 15, 2013.

NEW

NEW

NEW


Members are:Councillor Peter Simons, Councillor Steve Wildeboer

Town Staff: Lee Penner, Danielle KennedyCommunity Members: Rob Spencer (chair), Gertie Thieme,

Sue Anne Hennessey, Will Brown, Grace Fix, Marilyn Crow-Shuman, John Leard.

Sponsored by the Heartland Beautification Committee

HEARTLAND BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEEHEARTLAND BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE“Keeping Stettler Clean & Green”

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? • Improve your home or business property by tidying, mowing, painting the fence

• Place a colourful pot at your front step or business entrance• Compost leaves and clippings or take them to the allotted bins in Stettler

• Invest in a mulcher for your mower – no more bags of grass!• Take advantage of the Town Recycling by filling up your Green Boxes

with recyclables such as cardboard, glass, plastic, etc.• Pick up litter and don't dispose of garbage carelessly - make use of bottle/can recycling baskets on

town garbage containers• Take pride in where you live – keep your street and alley clean and tidy

• Pick up after your pet – bags are available along walking paths around town

SOME OF OUR 2013 GOALS ARE: Overarching Commuttee Initiatives

• Continue to identify and tackle beautification / improvement projects in town• Increase / maintain community & youth awareness & involvement / participation in

beautification activities & projects• Community Beautification Initiatives - Spring Plant Exchange & Yard/Garden/Container contests

• Contribute to the improvement of town through streetscape beautification projects• Partner with businesses for banners for downtown area & main highway thoroughfares

• Communities in Bloom-related initivatives & activitiesParticipate in National Communities in Bloom International Challenge competition

• Stettler Community Gardens subcommitteeMaintain/improve Community Garden site & evaluate options for expansion to other sites

• Environmental Action subcommittee - environment, recycling, waste reductionWalk/Bike signage; Recycling/Environment Award; continue Green Tips;

Repeat/Follow up on BYO Bag and Backyard Recycling CampaignsWalk/Bike to Work Day – Spring 2013

• Heritage Conservation subcommittee - historic / heritage awarenessImprove/reinvigorate historic downtown walking tour - new signs, flyer, etc.

Create a "virtual" historical walking tour

If you have any ideas that you think we should know about please contact us or the Town Office.

HEARTLANDBEAUTIFICATION

COMMITTEE


COMMUNITIESIN BLOOM

Note: Community Involvement was assessedin each category in 2010 to 2012.

Did you know the peony isStettler’s official flower?

While the bloom time can be short, these plants are hardy and do well in this area. The wide variety of colours and types of blooms

makes them an interesting addition to any yard.

CRITERIA TOTAL POSSIBLE PERCENTAGE 2011 2010 2009 Tidiness 128.5 150 85.7 84.7 87.5 87.2

Environmental Action 127.25 150 84.8 86.0 83.7 82

Heritage Conservation 120.5 150 80.3 78.0 82.5 82.4

Urban Forestry 143.25 175 81.9 83.4 80.6 78.4

Landscape 167.75 200 83.9 82.5 84.3 81.2/84.8

(incl. Turf & Groundcovers

Floral Displays 148.75 175 85.0 86.3 81.1 84

The summer of 2012 was a very busy and exciting time to be a member of the Heartland Beautifi cation Committee. In 2007 our town qualifi ed, by virtue of receiving fi ve blooms and the designation of best community of our size in Alberta, to compete on a national level. In 2008 to 2011, we competed at the national level, in the communities from 3000-8000 category (varies with the year). In 2011, we were chosen as the National Winner of the 3001-7500 population category (CiB Champion). In 2012, we chose to compete in the International Challenge – Small Communities, going against towns from across Canada and the world (Channel Islands, Japan and the Czech Republic.

Competing nationally is lots of work, but competing internationally is tougher (but is still worth it). We were told that the judging is more rigid. Our two judges in 2012 were Lorna McIlroy from Grande Prairie, Alberta and Diana K. Weiner, from Meadowbrook, Pennsylvania. Lorna was one of our judges in 2010. They were in town for one very full day. We were able to show them many of the different projects and initiatives that are being undertaken in the community. They visited many sites and had some quiet time to write notes and rest. They said that "Stettler has excellent facilities and amenities", and "is crisscrossed by many walking and biking trails, allowing residents and visitors to get out and enjoy the community." They noted many things around town, including the numerous revamping and revitalization projects in the downtown, the new entrance signs and the environmental focus of the town and council. They provided many useful comments and made several valuable recommendations, which we are acting upon.

Stettler did not win in the International Challenge (there were 12 communities), however we did receive fi ve blooms and special mention for the Pedestrian Walking Paths and was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Landscape category (which is against all applicants, regardless of community size) and was a fi nalist in the Environmental Action category.

One of the most valuable benefi ts of competing and hosting the Bloom judges is that they provide excellent suggestions and challenges for us to focus on each year. Many of the comments and suggestions have been incorporated into our annual goals and initiatives. This year we demonstrated a high level of community involvement and a diverse range of projects and initiatives. The members of the Heartland Beautifi cation Committee agree that it was only because of the support of the entire community that we were able to achieve fi ve bloom status every year. Thanks Stettler for pitching in and showing how much you care for your community.

JUDGING SCORES/2012 TOTAL 836/1000 (84%) 5 BLOOMS


Wade KlausStettler, Alberta

Call : 403-740-3610www.mulchpeople.caEmail : [email protected]

Color enhanced whole tree woodchip mulch.Variety of earth tone colors.

Resisting the temptation of exotic wood flooring will be extremely difficult this year. We will all be dream-ing about African mahog-any with its warm, classy tones: sand, terracotta, cop-per, caramel, and even green and blue. Rustic hickory and dark knotty walnut are also high on the dream-ren-ovation list. Luckily for us, hardwood flooring is now available in a huge range of different finishes. Your natural wood floor can be hand scraped, brushed, or distressed in order to high-light knots and grains. New colours and contrasting tones are also on offer.

Easier to maintain, the new hardwood floors that are factory sealed and oiled have a smoother, glossier finish. Pre-varnished wood now comes with embossed surfaces that create a wave-like effect. Moreover, advances in nanotechnology have enabled the produc-tion of a varnish with more effective anti-abrasive quali-ties. Whether pre-varnished or pre-oiled, the new engi-neered wood floors, which can be used as floating floor or glued directly to the subfloor, ensure good soundproofing. Another new trend: wood floors with wide planks that create a rustic look.

The latest in ceramics is perfect for both floors and walls. New porcelain stone-

ware tiles create a contem-porary look. Ceramic and precision-ground enameled porcelain have now taken on the form of planks that vary in shade and texture to imitate wood. And PVC flooring, which imitates wood and even stone, is also available. Innovations in linoleum production have allowed manufacturers to produce a wide range of tex-tures and colours, including an imitation leather that uses eco-friendly materials.A FLOOR COVERING FOR EVERY ROOM

The latest trends will allow you to choose from some interesting innova-tions, but of course you will need to take into account the demands of each room before settling on a choice. If your main criterion is comfort, for a bedroom or living room for example, carpet is a traditional choice. For the more environmen-tally minded, hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, or a floating wood floor are also great choices.

For rooms with higher humidity levels, such as a bathroom or kitchen, ceram-ic is an especially suitable type of flooring to consider. You could also opt for vinyl or the new types of laminate, which are water-resistant. For a bathroom, think about limiting the risks of slipping as well as comfort. Natural stone could be an interest-

ing choice here. Engineered hardwood flooring is also a good option for the kitchen, as it is durable and easy to maintain, a perfect combi-nation for this part of your home.

Flooring in the dining room must be stain resistant. Choose wood, laminate, vinyl, or a dark-coloured carpet. For high traffic areas, such as the entrance hall or the family room, opt for a durable and comfortable floorcovering such as carpet-ing, hardwood, engineered hardwood, or laminate. For the basement, it is very important that the subfloor be well insulated. Suitable flooring could include car-pet, engineered hardwood, laminate, or vinyl. Cork flooring is a great choice for a home cinema room or playroom because of its excellent soundproofing qualities.

All types of flooring are available in varying qualities and a wide range of prices. For help in making the right choice, consult an interior

decorator who will be able to give you advice on the style, colour, texture, and motif of your floorcover-ing for the specific purpose of the room. Most of these specialists offer a free home consultation, and some are equipped with visual soft-ware that will give you a good idea of what the final result will look like.

A panoply of trends underfoot

CHECKEL GREENHOUSESCHECKEL GREENHOUSES

• Annual• AnnualBedding PlantsBedding Plants

• • PerennialsPerennials

• • Hanging Hanging Baskets Baskets • Tomatoes • Tomatoes

Beside Castor Value Drug Mart Castor, ABBeside Castor Value Drug Mart Castor, ABStettler Farmers’ Market starting May 28Stettler Farmers’ Market starting May 28

[email protected]@live.ca


Exhaustion-free gardening

GGREENHOUSEGGARDEN CENTRE

Open Seasonally Starting May 1

GREENHOUSE

f3 km South of Trochu - Corner of Hwy #27 and #21 - East 5.5 km on Twp.Rd. 330

OOpen Seasonally Starting May 1MMonday to Sunday - 9am to 8pm1-587-321-0086 • [email protected] • www.suntaira.com

Annuals, Hanging Baskets, Planters, Window Boxes, Herbs, Tomatoes,Strawberries, Vegetables

PerennialsShrubs & Potted Trees

Potting Soil, Garden SeedsOnion Sets, Seed Potatoes, Summer Bulbs

Giftware, Home & Garden Décor…and MORE!

Mowing, weed-ing, digging, plant-ing, hoeing, pushing a wheelbarrow, and lifting bags of soil are all great ways to stay in shape. In fact, gardening on a regular basis builds cardiovascular strength and endur-ance, improves fl exi-bility, and helps reduce stress. However, because you use lots of different muscles when gardening, it is a good idea to prepare for every session in order to prevent pain and avoid injury.

First of all, warm up. The following are all good exercises, if you do them slowly and maintain the posi-

tion for ten to thirty seconds: squats; for-ward bends (at an angle of 25° to 40°); and shoulder, neck, and back stretches. For optimal effect, repeat each stretch three times. Before heading out to the gar-den, think about the jobs you have to do and divide them up so as not to do all the most deman ding tasks on the same day.

You could decide to dig over a fl ower bed for a few minutes to strengthen your mus-cles and follow it up with a job that increas-es your cardiovascular and pulmonary endur-ance, such as pushing a full wheelbarrow.

Finish up with a bit of weeding. Remember that every movement is an exercise in itself and that you should always work at your own pace. Take into account what you know you’re capable of and take care not to injure yourself.

Take frequent breaks and drink lots of water. Make the most of these rest pe riods to do more stretching, and think about repeating them once your garde ning session is over. This routine is particularly important in the spring, when most people are coming out of a long period of winter inactivity.


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rrs TM

Annuals Planters Proven Winners Perennials

Hanging Baskets Shrubs & Trees

Herbs and Veggies

“Best selection in Central Alberta”

OPEN: Monday to Saturday10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday - Noon to 5 p.m.

22055 Hwy.121 km west of Nevis

403-742-0909Website:www.tailcreek.com

Dispelling a few myths about trees

MOSIAC GARDENS

A new twist in gardening

Trees are the focal points of most gardens, so the needs of these green giants should be respected. After all, they breathe, eat, and live just like we do! A good start would be to dispel a few persistent myths.

Myth: When planting a tree, some roots should be trimmed so that new branches will grow more evenly.

Reality: Healthy roots should never be cut. Roots store and direct nutrition to the tree; to cut them would deprive the tree of this energy.

Myth: A newly planted tree should be supported by tutors (supporting trees or structures).

Reality: Trees only need tutors if they are planted in

a windy area, and even in that case, the tutors should be removed after a couple of years. Trees learn to move with the wind; leaving them to support themselves helps them develop a strong root system.

Myth: Applying pro-tective paint to the end of cut branches promotes the health of the tree.

Reality: This is not ne cessary, even though it is a method that has been used for many years in the horti-cultural world. Researchers have discovered that sick trees develop a chemical barrier of their own.

Myth: Trees grow throughout the summer.

Reality: Most varieties of tree only grow in the six

weeks following the appear-ance of leaves in the spring. That is when it is important to feed your trees with a good fertilizer.

Myth: Newly planted trees should be pruned hard to compensate for their lack

of roots.Reality: New trees

be come more firmly estab-lished if they are not pruned. It is recommended to prune only those branches that have been damaged during transportation or at the time of planting.

Many horticultural enthusiasts are filled with awe when they come across a mosaic garden and are sorely tempted to create something similar in their own gardens. That’s right, mosaic gardens are mak-ing a comeback, in public spa ces and in backyards everywhere.

The first step in creat-ing a mosaic garden is to identify a highly visible area of your yard and start with a fairly modest plan. For a beginner project, it is best to stick with a mosa-ic measu ring one square meter so that you can famil-iarize yourself with the techni que. Otherwise you might get discou raged by all the hard work required to maintain a successful project. Even most pub-lic gardens settle for small mosaics.

Be sure to remove faded flowers so your mosaic garden looks fresh, and the design, clearly delin-eated. You will have to cut back or pinch plants once a week. Keep in reserve a few specimens of each variety you use in case you need to replace any. These plants are in such close proximity that there is always a risk of rot. Lastly, feed the plants with a water-soluble fertil-izer every 15 days.

A good beginner project might be a mosaic of the sun with sun rays. To get you started, here are a few plant varie ties you could use.

Foliage plants: alter-nanthera, coleus, echever-ia, santolina, and sedum.

Flowering plants: ager-atum, begonia, celosia, and marigolds.


SURGE PROTECTIONSURGE PROTECTIONWhole Home

You probably have a surge protectoron your TV and computer but what

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30” Bucket Truckfor Aerial Work

NOWAVAILABLE

Lights that create a stunning effect

Glorious colour

The first factor to con-sider when choosing a light fixture is what you want it to do. A directional lamp is suitable for specific tasks such as reading or cooking, while a light fixture with a dimmer is preferable for creating atmosphere. Out-door lighting requires fix-tures de signed to withstand bad weather. De signs vary greatly, as they may be used for security purposes or to show off a landscaping fea-ture.

Inside the home, ensure that the style of your light is suitable for the area where it will be installed. A modern lamp or recessed light will harmonize with a contemporary décor or a Zen atmosphere, where-as an antique or Victorian style lamp is essential for a

rustic or traditional style.Bear in mind that if

you place your table lamp or torchiere in a corner, its light will be reflected on two walls, amplifying luminosity. Light fixtures installed on pastel coloured walls and ceilings will be more efficient, as pale sur-faces reflect about 80 per-cent of the light. Because dark surfaces only re flect about 10 percent, think about installing more lamps or fixtures in a room with dark walls in order to create sufficient light.

You can also choose your lights according to the effect you want to cre-ate. The range of differ-ent mo dels available on the market is so vast that you’re bound to find the look you’ve set your heart

on. There are also light fixtures that give different types of light, such as a flattering light for the bath-room, a sha dowless light

for the kit chen, a gentle glow in the dining room, as well as mood and indi-rect lighting for the li ving room and bedroom.

Many novice garden-ers have great difficulty choosing plant varieties for their yards, particularly when colour is concerned. Combining colours and foliage is always a chal-lenge, even for more expe-rienced gardeners. It is well worth doing some research, however, as a harmonious flower bed sets apart a well-maintained home with little cost and only a little bit of effort.

Here are a few tips to help you create a visually striking yard, one that suits your personality and creates the look that you’ve always wanted.

• Yellow stands out, attracting the eye right away. This colour creates a joyful ambiance.

• Red is a warm colour. It draws the eye and creates a dra ma tic effect.

• Blue communi-cates calm and relaxation. A grouping of blue flow-ers gives the impression of more space. Careful use of blue in small yards can show confined areas to advantage.

• Oranges are fall tones par excellence. They create an illusion of warmth and light before the arrival of winter. Even greater warm effects can be achieved by combin-ing orange with yellow or red.

• Green is the colour of life and spring rebirth. It is said to be the most restful colour for the eyes. Different tones of green can be the basis of a beau-tiful yard all on its own.

• White expresses elegance and refinement. This colour always adds a touch of radiance and freshness to a yard.


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It isComing!

A buying guide for budding gardenersUnless you’re an expert

gardener, you might not find it easy to make the right choices when the time comes to buy plants at a garden centre. There is such a wide variety of vegetable seedlings and annual and perennial decorative plants! If you don’t have a plant encyclopedia at hand as you browse the greenhouse, you may get lost in the maze of Latin names.

A first piece of advice would be to avoid any plants that don’t look like they’re thriving, as they probably won’t survive the transplan-tation process. They could also import disease and par-asites into your garden.PERENNIALS

Purchase perennials in the spring so they can have all summer to develop. Before bringing home any plants,

be sure to check that the soil in the pot is moist and that there are no weeds or moss on the surface — those are an indication of poor drain-age or that the plant has been potted for too long.SHRUBS

Foliage is the first thing to inspect when buying a shrub. Look for good colour, and make sure the branches are evenly distributed and have abundant foliage at the base. Avoid specimens with sparse, long, or unequal growth and with few or no visible buds, as these are a sign that the shrub has lacked water and nutrients during development. Take the shrub out of its pot and check its root system for rot-ting or parasites.ROSES

Gently shake the main branch of a rose bush to

ensure it is well rooted. A well-developed specimen will possess strong, evenly distributed branches, with masses of healthy, vigorous

foliage with good colour. Check for parasites or dis-eases, such as rust and black spot, as bushes infected with them will never recover.

In horticulture, com-panion planting consists of placing different plants in proximity so they can assist each other in nutrient uptake and pest control. In the case of edibles, it can sometimes even improve their taste. In the vegetable garden, companion planting has the advantage of main-taining ecosystems; just as in nature, friendly plants are of mutual help and create a balanced and harmonious environment.

The technique is simple. All you have to do is cul-tivate those plants which are mutually beneficial side by side and distance those that could be in conflict. Of course, the first step is to learn which plants can be combined and which can-not. You can find specific combination suggestions in many horticultural books, on gardening websites, and at your local garden centre.

Herbs, for example, don’t have to be relegated to a sep-arate patch in the back yard.

By spreading them around between your ve getables, it’s a good bet that they will ward off quite a few pests. Tarragon and marjoram, for instance, can discourage many harmful insects with their strong scent. This also applies to thyme, which is very effective when placed next to cabbages.

Among other herb-vege-table combinations that can work natural miracles are cha momile and cucumber, parsley and tomato, and mint and pumpkin. There are also some vegetables that rely on other vegetables, or even flowers, in order to flourish to the maximum. That is the case with onions, which keep away carrot flies, and marigolds, which keep insects away from vegeta-bles.

As a general rule, the best companions for your plants are not from the same family — but then again, isn’t that the particularity of all friendships?

The best companions for your plants are more plants


WHAT IS A WEED?According to the poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, a

weed is “a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.” A gardener, farmer or weed control specialist's answers would range from “a plant of little value” to a “species that competes with crops” to “a troublesome pest that affects the health of livestock and humans.” A weed might best be defined as any plant growing in an area

where it is not wanted.

The weeds featured on this page are commonly found in gardens and crops in Central Alberta and can be a gardener’s or farmer’s nightmare. If you are having a problem with noxious weeds on your

property, call the County of Stettler at 403-742-4441. They can assist you with weed identifi cation and

control.

NOXIOUS WEEDSYELLOW TOADFLAX

Recognizable features ~ Stem: often several stems forming dense patches, unbranched to few branches in upper stem, hairless, up to 1 m tall. Leaves: alternate to spirally arranged, numerous, attached directly to the stem, hairless, margins smooth or entire, linear, up to 10 cm long. Flowers: resemble snapdragon, bright yellow with yellow-orange throat, up to 3.5 cm long including the spur extend-ing from the base, alternately arranged along terminal ends of stems.General ~ Perennial that spreads by seed and creeping roots. Commonly confused with leafy spurge when fl owers are absent. However, yellow toad-flax is easily distinguished by the absence of milky juice in the plant. Also confused with dalmation toadflax, but easily distinguished by the presence of long linear leaves compared to the short broad leaves of dal-mation toadfl ax.

SCENTLESS CHAMOMILERecognizable features ~ Stem: highly branched, bushy, smooth, up to 1 m tall. Leaves: alternate, very fi nely divided into thread-like segments, usually hairless. Flowers: white and yellow, daisy-like, solitary at the ends of long branches.

General ~ Annual or winter annual to short lived peren-nial that spreads by seed (400,000 seeds / plant). Commonly confused with ox-eye daisy when in fl ower. However, scentless chamo-mile is easily distinguished by the fi nely divided leaves and bushy growth. Also con-fused with pineapple weed when flowers are absent. Al though, easi ly dist in-guished by the lack of odor when leaves are crushed (“scentless”), while pineap-ple weed has a distinct fruity odour (“pineapple”).

LEAFY SPURGERecognizable features ~ Stem: thickly clustered, hairless, up to 1 m tall. Leaves: alternate to spirally arranged, numer-ous, hairless, attached directly to the steam, narrow, margins smooth or entire, up to 7 cm long. Flowers: greenish-yellow, petals and sepals are absent, clustered with 1 female fl ower surrounded by several male fl owers held within a cup-like structure, subtended by 2 green leaf-like bracts.General ~ Perennial that spreads by seed and creep-ing roots. Forms dense stands. Commonly con-fused with cypress spurge. However, leafy spurge is easily distinguished as the plant is taller and leaves are longer, with less branching in the upper part of the plant. All plant parts contain a milky juice which can cause skin irritations.

WHITE COCKLERecognizable features ~ Stem: covered in short hairs, upright, swollen t the point where leaves are attached *node), up to 1 m tall. Leaves: opposite, elongate, pointed at the tip, covered in short hairs, smooth leaf margin, up top 10 cm long. Flowers: 5 deeply notched white petals some-times giving the appearance of 10 petals, 2 kinds of fl ow-ers, one with 10 veins on the lower part of the fl ower (calyx) which is infl ated and produces seed (female), one with 20 veins on the calyx which is slender and produces pollen (male).General ~ Biennial to short lived perennial that spreads by seed. Commonly con-fused with night flowering catchfly. However, white cockle is easi ly dist in-guished as it does not have sticky leaves or stems.

CANADA THISTLERecognizable features ~ Stem: upright, branching near the top, hollow. Leaves: alter-nate, slightly clasping the stem, variable, from a smooth margin with no spines to irregularly lobed with sharp spines. Flowers: small white to purple fl ower clustered into a head resem-bling single flower, ma le ( round) and female (flask or urn shaped) fl owers found on separate plants, position at the ends of branches.

General ~ Perennial t h a t s p r e a d s b y seed and creeping roots. Feathery hairs (pappus) attached to seeds to aid in short distance dispersal.

TALL BUTTERCUPRecognizable features ~ Stem: much branched above, up to 90 cm tall.

Leaves: lower leaves deeply divided into 3 - 5 lobes, upper leaves reduced to 3-4 nar-row segments, hairy. F l owe rs : ye l l ow, waxy, 5 petals.

General ~ Perennial that spreads by seed. C o n t a i n a c r i d juice that causes pain and inflam-mation in grazinganimals. Common in wet areas andpastures.


Providing Quality, Selection & Service in:

www.echoglengardens.com 403-883-2849

Echoglenardens

Located 2 miles south of

Donalda on Red Willow Rd. (Sec. Hwy. 850) – watch for signs –

PLANTS YOU CAN TRUSTGG

LANDSCAPING DESIGN & SERVICES

HoursMonday to Thursday 10 am to 6pm

Weekends & Holidays - 10am to 5p.m.Fridays 10am to 8pm

Open until October ~ Summer hours apply

We offer timely results, quality service and plants you can trust. From initial concept & design to installation, a job is not fi nished, until we know,

that you as a client, are 110% behind the end result. If a few trees or shrubs do not survive the winter season we will replace them for you. After all, at Echoglen Gardens we provide plants you can trust including our No Hassle One Year Warranty. *Some exceptions apply

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