THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 16, 1994 TAG: 9410140095
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: GARDENING REMINDERS
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
LENGTH: Long : 113 lines
THE KING ALFRED style daffodil is the most famous and popular in America. But there no longer is a ``King Alfred,'' because it has been cross-bred so often. They're all look-alikes, which means they have that ``big yellow look.''
Because Americans insist upon King Alfred, many are still dubbed with that name, although they are look-alikes. Much better are Carlton and Dutch Master. Each looks like King Alfred, but they are larger and a deeper yellow.
Following those two in popularity are Barrett Brown, a small white with bright orange cup; Ice Follies, white with a large canary yellow cup; Salome, with a large salmon-colored cup; February Gold, a dwarf yellow-gold species, and Mount Hood, an ivory-colored trumpet narcissus. CARE FOR CABBAGES
If you planted cabbage, cauliflower or broccoli, dust it regularly, about once a week, with Sevin or any natural control that works for you to combat insects. There are more bugs in the fall than in spring, and they love these cold-weather crops. BIRD SEED FOR SALE
Mark your calendar now for the Annual Bird Seed Sale of the Cape Henry Audubon Society on Nov. 5. Other bird items will be available at the sale headquarters at Princess Anne Farmer's Service at 5651 Virginia Beach Blvd. The Audubon Society says it offers the best seed in Hampton Roads at attractive prices. Call George Harris at 547-7585 to order. NARCISSUS BY ANY OTHER NAME
It's called ``The Narcissus Myth.'' Most Americans know narcissi as daffodils, reports the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center. In the South, they are traditionally called jonquils. In fact, all daffodils and jonquils are narcissi - but only some narcissi are daffodils and only a few are jonquils. They all are extremely beautiful, and this is the month to plant. Begin around the middle of the month and continue until mid-December. LOW-DOWN ON LAWNS
The Lawn Institute, based in Georgia, is devoted to good lawn care. They have a number of informative brochures on maintaining or establishing a lawn. You can get an order form that outlines the content of each brochure by sending a self-addressed, stamped, business envelope to Homeowners Resource Guide, The Lawn Institute, 1501 Johnson Ferry Road N.E., Suite 200, Marietta, Ga. 30062-08122. SILENCE THOSE CHIRPS
For cricket control the natural way, master gardener and hot-pepper guru Charlie Ward recommends mixing a heaping teaspoon each of Borax, sugar and flour. Place it on a sheet of aluminum foil wherever you hear or suspect crickets. The next morning, you can dump plenty of dead ones. For hot pepper info, you can talk to Ward at 464-5830. He grows them all. GIFTS FOR GARDENERS
If you need a Christmas gift for a gardening friend, call or write now for the White Flower Farm's catalog, ``Gifts for Gardeners and Their Friends, 1994.'' Included are double amaryllis, an expanded selection of forced bulbs, house plants, wreaths and other gift items including chocolate flower pots. The catalog is free by calling (203) 496-9600 or writing White Flower Farm, P.O. Box 50, Litchfield, Conn. 06759-0050. Fax (203) 567-3507. FALL FERTILIZATION
An important part of fall lawn care is fertilization. The Lawn Institute says that unless a soil test indicates otherwise, a good fertilization ratio is 3-1-2. This can be 15-5-10 or 21-7-14, as guaranteed on the bag. The rate of application should be from five to seven pounds per 1,000 square feet. The fertilizer should have at least one-half nitrogen (N) in a slow-release or controlled-release form. RID OF RODENTS
As the first month of peak rodent season, October has been designated ``National Rodent Prevention Month.'' Throughout October, d-CON will promote awareness of the dangers of rodents and offer ways to rid your house of an infestation. As the weather cools and rain and snow disrupts rodents' environment and food supplies, they will seek food and shelter indoors.
James Miller, specialist for the makers of d-Con products, says, ``The high-risk areas where mice tend to hide include undisturbed parts of the house like storage areas, garages, attics and in accumulated litter, stored objects and under base boards. Mice and rats carry over 40 diseases, including salmonella, trichinosis, Lyme disease and the deadly hantavirus (contracted through inhaling dried rodent feces).''
The makers of d-CON rodenticides offer a free brochure at stores where d-CON is sold. Taylor's Do-It Centers and other home centers sell d-CON. If you can't find the brochure, you can get a free copy by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to d-CON Consumer Brochure, P.O. Box 8737, Young America, Minn. 55551-8737. TIME TO SEW FESCUE
Fescue grass seed should be sown by mid-October in this area. If you' haven't finished or have yet to begin, get going and get done in the next five days. Rye grass can be seeded for another 30 days. LESSONS FROM A PRO
Flower arrangers may be interested in traveling north for two classes by Tom Pritchard, co-owner of Pure Madderlake in New York. On Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. Pritchard will lecture on how to relearn the simple natural approach to choosing and using flowers. Cost is $15. On Dec. 7 he will do an all-day session in floral design. It includes step-by-step demonstrations and instructions using the flowers and containers for which Madderlake is known. Cost is $190, including flowers and materials. The classes are offered by the Horticultural Society of New York. Call (212) 757-0915.
Robert Stiffler by CNB