THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220094
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: GARDENING REMINDERS
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: Long : 103 lines
DON'T DEPEND on Mother Nature to pick up after you. If you don't get rid of leaves, turf is subject to fungus and can become home to mice, rats and other rodents. Even a regular lawn mower, without special attachments, can do the job by mowing leaves under, starting at the outside edge and circling your way toward the center, recutting each discharge over and over as you go. This will reduce leaf volume by 75 percent.
If you use a grass catcher, you can use the mulch on gardens, shrub beds or around evergreens.
Not all trees lose their leaves at the same time. Oaks usually hold their foliage until late in the season. That may mean collecting and disposing of leaves a second or even a third time. COLONIAL GARDENS BOOK
Authors M. Kent Brinkley and Gordon W. Chappell present the distinctive landscape of Williamsburg's Historic Area in a new book titled ``The Gardens of Colonial Williamsburg.''
It features 20 gardens, photos and planting guides, from the formal gardens at the Governor's Palace to the informal garden of the Shields Tavern kitchen.
Chappell is the director of Landscape and Facilities Services for Colonial Williamsburg. Brinkley, a certified landscape architect, joined the foundation in 1985.
To order send a check for $35.95 (plus 4.5 percent sales tax for Virginia residents) to Colonial Williamsburg, Dept. 023, Box 3532, Williamsburg, Va. 23187-3532 or call toll-free (800) 446-9240. The book also may be ordered using a charge card. KEEP IT TRIMMED
As long as grass is still growing, and rye will grow some all winter, take the height down to 2 inches - shorter than in summer. That keeps grass looking neater. KNOW YOUR FIREWOOD
When buying firewood, remember that a true cord of wood is a pile 4 feet wide (length of the fire logs), 4 feet high and 8 feet long. A ``face cord'' is usually half a cord, or only 2 feet wide.
Woods have differing fuel values. The best include apple, white oak, hickory, white ash and black locust. Other good woods are beech, yellow birch and red oak. For good burning, firewood should be at least 6 months old. GUIDELINES FOR MULCH
In response to a reader question regarding the lack of standards for mulch, I received a letter from the National Bark & Soil Producers Association saying that there are ``voluntary industry guidelines for mulches.'' I've never trusted ``voluntary industry standards'' for much, but these folks say Wal-Mart has adopted the guidelines for their mulch and soil vendors for 1996.
The association says that if more retailers would specify quality over price, we would see more rapid upgrading of products. I've not seen the association's logo on any package in this area but will keep watching for it. LANTERNS FOR WINTER
It's time to cut the orange lanterns from the old-fashioned Chinese lantern plant (Physalis alkekengi) if you've not already done so. They stay bright and colorful as dried flowers all winter.
The plant is hard to find these days, but someone who has one may be willing to give you a division, because the plant is invasive and spreads in all directions. MORE MASTER GARDENERS
If you live in Chesapeake and want to become a Master Gardener, enroll in that city's training program, beginning Jan. 16. Classes will provide 45 hours of training from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays until the end of March.
Enrollment fee is $60 and you must agree to give back to the city 45 hours of volunteer time. For information, call 547-6348.
We reminded you last week about Norfolk's Master Gardener training, which runs Feb. 1 to April 2. But, unfortunately, we had the wrong dates for registration. Those interested may sign up at Larchmont Library on Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 10:30 a.m. to noon or Thursday, Jan. 11, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Classes are 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Call 683-2816 or 588-2187. ALL ABOUT ORCHIDS
Tidewater Community College Horticulture Department is offering an eight-week ``Introduction to Orchids'' course, taught by orchid expert Tom Ward. Classes will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday nights, beginning Jan. 10. For information and fees, call 549-5149. PARK SEED CATALOG
If you're one of the few gardeners in the country who doesn't receive the Park Seed catalog, it's free by calling (800) 845-3369. Catalogs are expensive to print and mail, so call only if you plan to place an order. ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT STIFFLER/Photo
For winter color, cut the orange lanterns from Chinese lantern
plants.
by CNB