Q. Every Easter I am reminded that I should plant some Bermuda Easter lilies, but by then its obviously too late for that year. How do I go about it? Where do I get the bulbs? Is it a big production, pulling up the bulbs after they bloom and hiding them in a cold dark cellar (which I don't have)? A. When growing Easter lilies the first thing you should consider is location.

Although the plants can grow in a variety of situations it is best to grow them in a sunny, open garden.

You will want to plant bulbs for Easter lilies in a good but well drained soil therefore some bed preparation may be necessary.

In preparing the flower bed mix compost manure with your soil to give good organic structure to the soil. You may also wish to add some Barcmeal to the soil as well. This will give you a natural source of phosphorus which promotes both root and flower growth. Now you are ready to plant.

Planting time is said to be September and October but chilled bulbs can be successfully planted in November. Plant smaller bulbs about 2-3 inches deep in the soil while larger bulbs should be planted no deeper than 6 inches in depth.

You may find some of the local farmers may have some bulbs for sale when they dig them beginning in June through July and even into August. Of course Aberfeldy Nurseries sells Easter Lily bulbs that have been pre-chilled and are usually available in November.

Regarding the digging and storage of bulbs, this only needs to be done about every three to four years to rest the bulbs, also to allow for division of side bulbs from the main large bulb.

When the leaves stems start turning yellow in June or July this is the time you will want to dig the Easter lily bulb. Clean the bulbs from any spare roots, any damaged, decaying scales and store the bulbs in wooden boxes between layers of slightly moistened peat or sand. Be careful not to get the peat or sand too wet or too dry. You may also consider storing the bulbs in loosely tied plastic bags filled with peat or dry potting mix.

Let the bulbs rest for a couple of months then they will be ready again for another three to four years of supplying you with lovely blooms at Easter.

Q. Are there any annuals that can grow in the summer in Bermuda? A. The answer to this question is a resounding yes! We at Aberfeldy currently grow the following varieties for the summer which are best in sun unless otherwise noted: Calendula, three varieties of Celosia, Loleus (good for sun or shade), Cosmos, Dusty Miller, two varieties of Gomphrena, nine varieties of Marigolds, Dianthus (a small flat carnation like flower), Pink & Purple Wave Petunias (these are low and spreading and quite heat tolerant), Portulaca (another very good variety for heat tolerance), Torenai (this is a new variety for shade growing) and Zinnia (we have two varied one which is about 12 inches full and a variety called "Crystal White'' which is new to us and that we are trying as a substitute for white Alyssum for summer use).

To those varieties you can also add Begonias, Geraniums and Parslane (also known as perennial Portulaca).

So with that kind of selection the gardens in Bermuda should be full of colour for the summer months. We will be happy to assist you with your selections for colour combinations and sizes.

Happy planting!! Q. I'm annoyed by the Bermuda grass and clover (-- the vine-type, with burrs) that is growing in my regular grass(St. Augustine). What's the best way to tackle the problem? the clover is relatively easy to pull up, but I never seem to get it all up, and it grows back very quickly.

A. You will find that many of the lawns in Bermuda are a blend of both Bermuda grass and St. Augustine (our crab grass). If this is undesirable and you wish to control the Bermuda grass as well as the Burclover in your St. Augustine lawn you may use any of the herbicides on the market that contain ATRAZINE.

For best results ATRAZINE should be applied when the Bermuda grass is actively growing (temperatures above 65 degrees F at night) but also when it is cool enough not to burn the St. Augustine grass(below 75 degrees F daytime temperatures). Therefore timing is critical to achieve the results you desire.

Probably the appropriate time to apply these herbicides would be mid spring, around May or in mid autumn, say for example October. Please be sure that the temperatures are correct especially in the summer that its not too hot.

You may reapply a herbicide again if you don't get the control you want the first time but if you burn the St. Augustine grass it may take much longer to restore it.

Many gardens and home owners in Bermuda have a tendency to cut St. Augustine grass too short. St. Augustine should be cut at a minimum of 2 inches in height but preferably 3 inches.

Also cutting grass more frequently is better then waiting too long. Ideally you should cut off about 1 of the height per mowing. Leaving your St.

Augustine taller will promote a healthy growing condition for the grass, it will become more thick and be able to resist diseases better. A healthy thick lawn also leaves little room for weed problems.

Q. Somebody told me that soapy water poured over my herbs will keep caterpillars away. Is this true? Is this a good idea? How soapy should it be? Would old dish washing water do the trick? A. You certainly may use old dish washing water on your herbs to control pest such as aphids or mealybugs but it isn't very effective for caterpillars. The old dishwater shouldn't be too greasy if you plan to use it on your plants so make up some fresh water with soap (about 1 capful of soap per gallon of water should be sufficient).

The soap is actually the agent to kill the insect. When applied to the insects it will dehydrate them and eventually they will die. So pour your soapy dishwater around your garden for pest control and for some added moisture for your plants.

Spring flowers: They are abundant, growing beautifully, and await at Aberfeldy's. Gardening is a terrific family activity which teaches nurturing and nature appreciation.