DATE: Sunday, March 16, 1997                TAG: 9703150073

SECTION: HOME                    PAGE: G5   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: GARDENING REMINDERS

SOURCE: Robert Stiffler

                                            LENGTH:   99 lines

CAMELLIA SALE MOVED TO MARCH 29

BECAUSE OF THE early season for camellia blooms, the Virginia Camellia Society has moved up its spring show and plant sale to Saturday, March 29, at Chesapeake Square Mall. Blooms may be entered from 8 to 10 a.m., after which judging will begin. The plant sale, when many unusual varieties will be offered, begins at 10 a.m. SOME LIKE IT COOL

Don't be surprised if your crocus wilt and your daffodils ``blast.'' Bulbs like cold weather, and hot days can wilt their blooms. If they're in bud, such as some daffodils are, heat causes the ``blasting,'' and the buds may never open.

Warm days may be nice, but Dutch bulbs really don't like the heat. SEEDLINGS NEED LIGHT

Virginia Tech's Diane Relf says seeds started indoors need plenty of light. ``More home-grown seedlings are probably lost to lack of light than any other cause,'' she says. ``Seedlings grown under low-light conditions will most likely be leggy and weak. Many will fall over under their own weight after they are 3 to 4 inches tall. If you do not have a sunny room or porch with a southern exposure, you will probably need supplemental lights such as a fluorescent shop light.'' WATCH FOR ``WIDOW MAKERS''

Ever hear of a ``widow maker?'' Jim McGraw, forestry specialist at North Carolina State University, says a ``widow maker'' is a broken or partially attached tree branch that hangs over your head.

In summer and fall, they're invisible behind a canopy of leaves. In winter, they hang like undelivered threats. ``It's easy to spot the hanging branches now before leaves come out,'' McGraw said.

``These broken tree limbs have been called `widow makers' since the 19th century,'' he said. ``Any tree limb bigger than a golf club is going to do serious damage if it hits you from a height of 20, 30 or 40 feet up. All it takes is a good wind or ice storm to bring it down. Some can even fall on a calm day.''

McGraw says property owners should have broken branches removed to prevent damage, injury or any liability. He recommends hiring a professional arborist or tree-care expert.

``The task is far too dangerous for amateurs. A homeowner wielding a chain saw and climbing up a ladder that is unsecured at its top is heading for trouble,'' McGraw said. He also said is you see ``widow makers'' on public property, call the municipality or utility company and ask them to remove the broken limbs. PLANTS WORTH TRYING

The garden portion of the 1997 Mid-Atlantic Home & Garden Show kicks off Friday at 12:30 p.m. when I talk about ``Plants with Potential.'' This slide show has new and old plants that are better than some currently grown. The show is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Virginia Beach Pavilion. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors. THE AMISH WAY

You can garden more like the Amish with bags of ``Amish Way Composted Cow Manure,'' made by Amish and Mennonite farmers in Lancaster County, Pa. It's available in HQ garden centers.

The Amish, known for their farming skills, say, ``If you want to grow beautiful plants, you need to put life in the soil. Nothing puts life in the soil better than the Amish Way.''

Three products in the line include composted cow manure, pelletized cow manure with fertilizer and topsoil. John Rothman, spokesman for Tewksbury Gardens, which distributes the products, says they cost more than some brands, but they're guaranteed. If you don't believe you get better performance from Amish Way products, they'll refund your money. BEAUTY OF WINDOW BOXES

Winners of this year's ``Most Beautiful Window Box'' competition will get a paid vacation for two in the Provence region of France. There are many categories, providing 50 ways to win, with more than $10,000 in prizes. For a 16-page booklet, ``Creative Ideas for Window Boxes,'' and an official entry blank, call (800) 665-4592. Of more than 40 winners last year, one was from Virginia. Let's do better in 1997. TRIM LENTEN ROSES

It's time to clip away any brown foliage from Lenten roses (helleborus) as blooms begin to emerge. NATIVE PLANT SALE

Thomas Jefferson's favorite tree, the native Fringe Tree (Chionanthus Virginicus) will be among the many trees, shrubs and perennials on sale Saturday at the Virginia Native Plant Society's annual plant sale on the grounds of the Francis Land House in Virginia Beach.

Sale hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Landscape designers will be on hand to offer planting instructions. Call 463-1753. POLLINATE FRUITS

Southern Living garden editor Linda Askey tells readers that when planting apples, blueberries, Japanese plums, pears and some grapes, more than one selection is needed for good pollination. ``If you are growing a female selection of muscadines, such as Scuppernong, there also must be a self-fertile selection of muscadine in the garden.''

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