THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 4, 1995 TAG: 9506020113
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
MANY HOME GARDENERS start spraying now to combat weeds and insects. Pat Hipkins, coordinator of the chemical pesticide unit at Virginia Tech, says: ``Homeowners need to protect themselves as much as professionals do. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, shoes (preferably neoprene pull-over boots), goggles or safety glasses and unlined chemical-resistant gloves. The goal is to avoid skin contact with the chemicals. For home gardeners, skin contact is the most likely chance for exposure.''
After you wear a set of clothes while spraying, the clothes should be washed with hot water and soap and not be worn for any other activity, Hipkins said. Gardeners should also shower with hot water and soap after spraying. Line-drying clothes in the sun will effectively break down most residual chemicals and keep your clothes dryer from becoming contaminated, he added. If garments are not washed after every use, residues can build up to a toxic level. THE SECRET'S IN THE PEAT
A combination of 50 percent soil, 35 percent peat moss and 15 percent compost proved to be the best material for growing tomatoes in three of four tests in Canada. To condition garden soil for new plants, dig 1 or 2 inches of peat moss into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.
There are three free brochures available on ``How to with Peat Moss,'' relating to: vegetable and flower gardening; composting; or lawn care. Send a stamped addressed envelope to CSPMA, Box 385102, Minneapolis, Minn. 55438. For a complete guide, ``The Secret of Great Gardening - The Soil,'' enclose 55 cents in postage with your request. PROTECTION AGAINST BLIGHT
Camellia flower blight has eluded a satisfactory control since it was found in 1938, reports the Camellia Journal magazine of the American Camellia Society. The fungus survives by its hard black bodies. These structures remain viable on the ground for at least four years. This means that to control camellia flower blight disease by sanitation would require that all diseased flowers and petals would have to be found and removed for at least four consecutive years, which is not practical. At Clemson University, drenching plants with Lynch, a new product from Miles, gave good control. It also gave complete year-long control to rose black spot. WATCH THOSE SPRING WINDS
An article in The Avant Gardner's special issue on The Great Garden Cover Up reports on the severe damage early spring winds can have on plant growth. ``In Oklahoma tests, a 15 mph wind was found to delay the maturity of marigolds and half their flower size,'' the article says. ``In Texas, cabbages shielded by windbreak strips of winter wheat grew over twice as large as those in open ground. Windblown plants are stunted by insufficient transpiration. Wind makes their stomata or leaf pores close, which causes a slowing of the food-making processes in the leaf. Wind also makes the soil stay cooler and dry faster, and aggravates foliage with blown soil particles.''
If beds and borders are not protected from winds by woody plants, the article recommends protecting young seedlings with temporary constructions such as twiggy brush, snow fencing interwoven with straw, shade cloth on stakes or boards stuck upright in the ground.''
The special issue is available for $2 mailed to Box 489, New York, N.Y. 10028. PRUNE FLOWERING SHRUBS
Prune spring flowering shrubs such as spiraea (bridal wreath), forsythia, flowering quince and others now, after flowering has ended. Always preserve the natural form of a plant when pruning. Thin out from within the center rather than shearing the plant, which destroys its form. by CNB