THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, December 31, 1995              TAG: 9512290209
SECTION: HOME                     PAGE: G3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: Robert Stiffler
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   62 lines

DON'T LET ROAD SALT DAMAGE PLANT ROOTS

IF YOU LIVE near a heavily traveled highway, where salt is used to de-ice the road, you may want to apply gypsum in a 5-foot wide band in the area splashed with road salt. Gypsum breaks up soil, allowing the salt to rapidly wash past plant roots. If allowed to accumulate, salt can be very damaging to roots. A HOT SELLER

A cayenne pepper that sent a laboratory into overdrive to fill 28,000 requests for seed will be available this spring. Charleston Hot, released in early 1993, made its dinner table debut this last year in two hot sauces - Holy City Heat and Charleston Hell Hot Sauce. Selling the seed are DiGiorgi Seed, R.H. Shumway and others, as reported by the USDA agricultural research service. CONFIDENCE GUARANTEED

The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association randomly surveyed 1,000 households that regularly purchase perennials, trees and shrubs. More than 95 percent feel more confident buying from a retailer that offers a guarantee. Nearly 90 percent said they would shop more often at such a store, even if a different store was more convenient. Before you start buying shrubs and trees for spring, you might want to ask what kind of guarantee your garden center offers. TERMITE CONTROL

If you have a termite problem and don't want to use the chemicals usually applied, you may want to pick up the December issue of Organic Gardening magazine. It describes several non-toxic termite control methods available, all of which offer termite-free guarantees, so mortgage lenders accept their validity. NON-TOXIC INSECT SPRAY

More and more gardeners ask for non-toxic insecticidal sprays, especially to use indoors on houseplants. A home-made one that some gardeners recommend uses 1 cup cooking oil mixed with 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap. Add 2 1/2 teaspoons of this mixture to 1 cup of water (or the same proportions to larger amounts of water) and spray on the surface and undersides of leaves. Repeat in a few days if insects are still visible. ABLE TO STAND THE COLD

Creative Native, a Florida nursery, declares that the Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystric) is the world's most cold-hardy palm. It can withstand temperatures down to -10 degrees. Its exotic form will evoke thoughts of far-away places, with shades of lush green and mystical shadows cast by its fans. They say, ``You can throw away your hose, dangerous chemicals and forget about sore knees and backs, because this beautiful American native requires little maintenance.''

For information, call Chuck or Andrea at (800) 628-4831 or fax (904) 498-1913. by CNB