LADY BUG: SPRING AND GARDEN SUPPLIES ARRIVE

Spring has arrived. The calendar tells us so.

Also arriving are a vast number of gardening supplies at the many gardening centers throughout the area. Gardening centers at large general stores, hardware and grocery stores, nurseries and florists, have received or are receiving gardening equipment, fertilizers, soil additives, mulching, fencing, blocks, roses, shrubs, trees, perennials tools, watering equipment and every gardening item under the sun pertaining to gardening inside or out.

There are so many new pesticides, herbicides and sprays on the market one would almost have to be a chemist to understand many of them. There is a spray or chemical for anything that creeps, crawls or flies. Products include an Insect Killing Soap, Multi-Purpose Insect Killer, Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer, and Vitalize All Purpose Plant Food.

Eco Oil is a new spray oil for use on vegetables for those who do not like to use chemicals for insect control. It does not harm the environment or wild life. It controls aphids, army worms, mites, beetle larvae, corn earworms, leaf minors, leaf hoppers, certain caterpillars, thrips and white flies. This oil can be used at any time during the growing season.

Some places already have stocks of perennials, such as climatis, daylily, phlox, astilbe, peonies, iris, and others on their shelves. All are boxed and ready for planting when the weather permits. Perennials are said to be the backbone of the garden, as they provide years of pleasure and provide color from June until late September.

The Perennial Plant Association selects a Perennial of the Year. For 1995 it is Russian Sage, chosen for its long season ornamental effect and adaptability to most states. Past winners of the Perennial Plant of the Year include Phlox, 1990; Palace Purple Heuchera, 1991; Coreopsis Moonbeam, 1992; Veronica Sunny Border Blue, 1993 and Astilbe Sprite, 1994.

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Did you know Iceberg Lettuce is 100 years old? It was first introduced to the American public by W. Atlee Burpee Co. of Philadelphia in 1894. Bibb and Boston lettuce are also old varieties and were introduced about 1900. All are cool weather crops and should be planted quite early, along with spinach and members of the cabbage family.

Lettuce has been cultivated longer than any other vegetable crop that we know today. Lettuce contains few calories. It is the dressings that are put on it that make the calories add up. A cup of chopped lettuce contains only seven to 10 calories, and supplies vitamins A, C, some of the B vitamins and several minerals including calcium and iron. Romain and looseleaf varieties contain nearly six times more Vitamin A than the large crisp-headed types.

Black-Seeded Simpson is an old variety that remains popular. Red Sails is a 1985 All-America selection with bronze-red leaves. Salad Bowl and Oak Leaf are other good varieties. Great Lakes is another crisp head variety. Mission is a new small head variety. Cos or Romain is upright in growth and tightly folded leaves on an elongated head. Bibb is also popular and Buttercrunch is most dependable for our area. (Note: Information from University of Missouri Extension Service.)

Someone recently asked about cutting daffodils. When gathering the flower, it can be damaging to the foliage, so instead of cutting, just reach down to the white portion of the stem and snap it off, leaving the upper part of the stem intact.

Daffodils exude a liquid that is harmful to other flowers. Before arranging with other flowers, place the stems in 6 to 8 inches of lukewarm water for an hour or so. Then change the water and let them stand another hour or so.

Keep flowers cool, with added coolness at night and they will be pretty for several days.

Bulb foliage should be allowed to turn yellow and possibly fall over before it is cut. Cutting earlier will rob the bulb of proper nutrients that aid flower production. Also, planting perennials and annuals with bulbs will help mask the maturing foliage, so it is less noticeable.

Clumps of bright yellow daffodils on the grounds of Children's Bazaar & Boys' Corner at Kingshighway and Independence have been receiving much attention since they popped out of the ground and bloomed during the first warm days.

Because they are such large clumps, some with as many as three dozen or more bulbs, some people speculated they must be planted in pots. Not so. Planted in clumps and all one variety, gives one big splash of color. This is their third year and every bulb must have produced this year.

~Mary Blue is a resident of Cape Girardeau and an avid gardener.