The Alexandria Times-Tribune from Alexandria, Indiana • Page 31

Spring Opening Edition, Tha Alexandria TlmM-Tribuna, Tha Call-Uadar, The Tipton County Tribune, Wednesday, March 20, 2002 PAGE 19 Peony: The Indiana State Flower the cooler, moister conditions. Spring planting is possible, but be prepared to pamper the plants throughout the stressful summer with about an inch of water per week and perhaps protection from hot afternoon sun. Double-flowered forms often get so heavy from the weight of the blooms that they bend over the ground and sometimes even break off the stem. The flower stalks can be supported by tying them to a stake or surrounding them with a wire cage or other support. Peonies make excellent cut flowers for arrangiing indoors.

Cut the stems early in the morning or late In the evening, when stems are filled with water. Choose stems with flower buds that are just beginning to show color; flowers that are already open will not last long in the vase. The flower buds are loaded with fragrance and often have sticky sap, both of which help to attract pollinating insects. Unfortunately, the stickiness also attracts ants, which you may not want to bring indoors. Some gardeners believe the ants are needed to open the flower buds.

Although the ants do not perform any particular service for the flower, they do not cause any harm. Apply a sharp spray of water from the garden hose to wash the ants away before bringing the flowers indoors. To admire a peony in full bloom is inot only a fitting way to celebrate our full arrival into spring, but It also a hint of the colors that summer will bring to our garden. Although It is native to the Orient, rather than the United States, the peony has become a staple of the Midwestern flower garden. So much so, in fact, lhat it is recognized as the state flower of Indianal Peonies are hardy perennial plants that adapt easily to average garden conditions without much maintenance.

There are two basic of peonies that can be grown in Midwest garden (herbaceous) and tree peonies. Garden peonies have thick, bushy foliage that reaches 2 to 4 feet in height and dies back to the ground each winter. Tree peonies are not truly tree-size, but are generally larger than garden peonies and produce their annual growth from woody stems. They are generally a little less, winter hardy then the garden types. Though there is a vast array of cul-tivars available, most gardeners are only familiar with the large, double-flowered garden forms in white, pale pink and magenta.

In addition, gar- den peonies are available in single-flowered, semi-double, Japanese, and anemone-type blossoms. Other colors include yellow, cream and red. Now for the heart part Tree peonies also come in single, semi-double and double-flowered forms, and the color range extends to include several shades of red and purple. Depending on the cultivar and weather conditions, peonies will blossom as early as April or as late as June. Peonies grow best in well-drained, sunny locations, but can adapt to a wide range of soils.

Garden peonies can be purchased as either potted plants or divisions of the tubers (underground stems). The more buds on the tuber, the faster the plant will make a good showing in the garden. Planting depth is critical for good garden performance. The buds of the tuber should be set no deeper than 2 inches below the soil surface. Peonies planted too deep will produce foliage each year, but they may never bloom.

Tree peonies are propagated either by seed or by grafting a certain cultivar onto a vigorous rootstock. Seed-grown plants usually require six or more years to become mature enough to flower. Grafted tree peonies generally bloom several years earlier. Late summer or early autumn has long been the recommended planting time for both types of peonies. This allows the plants the opportunity to establish new root growth during To get the process of "spring cleaning" in the garage going, Shuman recommend you do the following.

Arrange items that you want to keep in separate piles. Determine what kind of containers will best store these items. Hang pegs to organize certain items even lawn chairs can be stored on pegs. Bicycles can be hung from the rafters when not in use. When bicycles are in use, assign a certain place for them to be parked.

Keep as many items off the floor as possible so it is easy to sweep often. (T wice a month is a good schedule. Remember that dust in the garage often ends up in the house.) If you have a bare stud in the garage, place slats of wood across the studs to create bins for items like sports equipment and gardening tools. Hammer nails into the wall or into the studs for tools and other articles. Keep "similar items together in With Spring comes the promise of a new beginning.

Company specializes in garage organization Most abused room in the house Flowers blossom and birds sing their chorus. In this season of renewal, comes the perfect opportunity to "renew" your feelings for that special some one. Whether it's resetting your precious an interest in a new count on us to be here. available at two locations and once again purchase, the stores!" TIPTON 135 pfereS1 St Layaway CRT to help. Come and see us.

It's easy to make the garage a room for all those things that we don't really have a place for. "We tend to use the garage as a 'catch-all' for many of the items we don't need, but don't know what to do with." says Marc Shuman, founder of GarageTek, a company that specializes in organizing garages. The Port Washington, N.Y. based company offers custom de- signed garage organization sys-'; terns using its own patented Tek-h Panel System. Included are high performance cabinets, shelving, activity rack, and accessories.

Just beginning to franchise the concept, Shuman has prospective franchises lined up. They run the garnet from downsized tech executives, to deve-' lopers who are incorporating the high tech garage systems into the homes they are building. According to Shuman, the garage is the most "abused" room in ttheJiouse and can easily be turned into a high value asset of the home. gems or UPTOWN ELWOOD Master you can We're always ready MOSER Jewelers mi "We do it "'RSSS DOWNTOWN Card Visa Cash 12 Months! COMPACT WITHOUT COMPROMISE Financing For marked containers and go through them once a season to clean out things you are not using anymore. Hang shelves and keep storage containers marked with items like toys, tennis balls, nails, lawn chemicals, etc.

Use hooks instead of nails for items such as outdoor clothing, backpacks, umbrellas, etc. Keep items you'll need for the season (rakes, lawnmowers, etc.) close to the front of the garage. Strap items like bats and fishing rods together for easier storage and transport. Take this organizing opportunity to take inventory of items you'll need for the spring such as missing garden tools. Hang garden hose, spare tires, and other unwieldy equipment up to prevent accidents.

For more information on GarageTek call: 1-866-664-2724 or visit the website: www.garagetek.com,'. 1 v-1 Furniture -Jet- 'i Twetva Models Available Ranging from 25-45 hp In Stock Now Gear Drlvan or Hydrostatic Transmission HURRY! This Is Your Best Home Furnishings of Elwooa i GIL0SDD3Q DDG EILO)E Here's lust a few samples of the great buys: BIS 6 ABB 1 )-Xi "('! ii Move loads of dirt or mulch. Lift and load pallets of material. Perform blade work. Add a backhoe to dig.

Attach a front-end loader to load and haul. Mow. Till. Dig post holes. Whatever work you do, a DX compact tractor gets the job done fast and without compromise.

Plus, you can always count on your Case IH dealer for complete support. From reliable parts and fast service to flexible financing through Case Credit. So stop by your Case IH dealer today. Where making compact tractors doesn't involve making compromises. i ic MTSiMy CREDIT TERMS AVAILABLE WITH 90 DAYS SAME AS CASH! O.A.C.

Quantities Limited Subject toPrior Sale 58033 Si Foment wfciect lo CM Credit prorri. Now you CAN afford The Best CASE IH POWER EQUIPMENT Is Iff I 2 Of IhwU 2 in tm warns ttmy. Mam county county St Rd. 15 South Wabash, IN 219-384-4391 800-663-8861 St Rd.18Wet Marion, IN 765-384-4391 800-380-4391 24 St Rd. 9 North Huntington.

IN 260-356-7703 800-830-7703 iej m. TT HT TT Of Elwood 102 West Main Street Elwood, IN 46036" Highway 28 Visit our Wsb sits at www.casspowaraqulp.eom 13 STORE HOURS 10-6, SUN. 12-5 (765) 552-7034.