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Tips for Rose Gardening

Roses can actually be easy to grow with some basic rose gardening tips. Preliminary planning and visualization of what kind of plants to put in your garden will ensure greater success.  Consider what will work with your existing garden? Is the garden formal or informal; will rose trees or small bushes work best?

Plan Ahead

Roses need about 6 hours of sunlight, so think about whether the garden has an appropriate spot. Are the plants going to be in a bed or up against a structure suitable for climbing roses. Or will you want to put roses in pots? And lastly, does color matter? If the garden has a certain color scheme, what roses would fit in best?

Get in 'the Zone'

After you've made some notes about what to purchase, it's time to look at climate and zone needs of the roses. Some roses will not grow well in colder climates; know your zone before making a purchase.

The Right Tool Is Everything

Garden tools are essential: pruners, a garden rake, and a fork for digging are necessary. You should also have some good sturdy gloves, a watering can or hose, and a wheelbarrow.

Weeding requires a good bit of kneeling. Knee pads are made specifically for gardeners and are well worth nearly any expense. Pruners are small and useful on simple deadheading jobs, but a pair of loppers are best for pruning on a larger scale.

Tools tend to get lost or scattered around the tool shed (or garage). Get a container or basket designated for gardening and keep tools and other necessities in one place. Paint your tool handles in bright non-garden colors for help in locating. Hot pink spades or pruners can't easily hide in tall grass.

Maintain your tools - sharpen pruners and loppers annually, keep them oiled and clean of debris. It's a good idea to give them a bath of rubbing alcohol on a regular basis to avoid the transmission of rose disease among plants.

Habits Are Good

Be systematic about garden tending. If you set a schedule for watering, you're less likely to forget. Plants prefer watering in early morning or late evening and will need more attention on hot summer days.

Keep The Garden Clean

Likewise pay attention to weeding and don't allow weeds to get out of control. Keep the base of the plant weed-free; right after a rain weeds are much easier to pull up.  All debris, such as fallen leaves should be removed from rose beds. Air circulation is key to keeping fungi like powdery mildew under control.

Join A Group

For novices as well as gardeners with experience, it's nice to have a source for information and questions pertaining to roses. Look for local gardening groups in your area, or search the internet for an on-line forum. There are some great eBooks out there for additional help, too.

Jot Down Your Progress

Buy a journal and keep track of your roses; when they bloom, colors, and variety. Jot down the date of planting so you'll be able to accurately note its progress.  Note what works and doesn't work. Track problems as well. Then if you need to talk to an expert the information is accessible.

Take photos of your garden as well, note the color of a particular rose or a grouped planting. The information can be helpful in additions, or when propagating. This information will provide an opportunity to see how well your rose garden is performing. 

Enjoy!

Enjoy your garden. Remember this is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby! Get a glass of iced tea and a chair and enjoy the sights and aromas from your beautiful rose garden.

About the Author

MJ Blake has been growing roses for years and has recently decided to share that knowledge with the world. For tons more information related to rose gardening tips, please visit RoseGardenSolutions.com.

Your fav. collectables from childhood til now?

Mine are a USN fork; old dishes w/roses; my mom's old mixer set complete with bowls; my father's sense of humor and intelligence. My kids. A Disney glass with the roadrunner and coyote on it. Some real cloth handkerchiefs of my mom's. Your turn.

I found one of my dad's Playboy magazines and I've collected porn ever since.

Macari Rose from North Fork Wine Region, New York

Tags: cooking, fandom:dcu, fork, pairing:tim/kon, rose

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 23rd, 2009 at 3:15 am and is filed under sterling silver. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.