|
|
|
Testimonials
"Your
ebook is worth much more than I paid. We're
loving it. The very best"
--
Matt White
Vancouver, BC
"Thank
you for your book. I wish that I had read this book
when I
first started my rose garden. I highly
recommend your
book to anyone who loves roses."
--
Sandy Danner
Belmont, VA
|
|
Rose Gardening
by Steve Knapp
Roses
have gotten a bad wrap over the years for being difficult to grow and
maintain. If you're thinking of rose gardening don’t let this
rumor slow you down. Rose gardening can be challenging,
but once you get the hang of it, it really doesn't have to be that
difficult.
When you first start your rose garden, in addition to choosing your
favorite colors you'll need to decide what type of rose you prefer to
plant. You should find a selection of bare-root,
pre-packaged, and/or container-grown roses available at your local
nursery. Bare-root roses
are generally sold in the winter and early spring. They
should be planted as soon as frosts are over and the ground is warm and
workable. Pre-packaged roses are simply bare-root plants that
are sold in a bad or box with something around the roots to retain
moisture, such as sawdust. Container-grown roses are grown;
you guessed it, in containers. They will usually be either
budding or already in bloom when they reach the nursery in the
early spring.
Planting a rose is not much different than any other type of
plant. The most important thing, as always, is good, healthy
soil and proper sun exposure. It doesn’t matter whether your
roses are bare-root or container-grown, the planting methods are the
same as any other shrub. Make sure the spot you choose has
good drainage, gets plenty of sunlight, and will not overcrowd your
roses. Before planting, any dead leaves and thin or decayed
shoots need to be cut off. Any damaged or very long roots
also need to be trimmed. Soak bare-root roses in water about
10-12 hours to restore moisture in the roots before planting and water
the soil before planting as well. Make sure the hole you have
dug is large enough for the root growth of the rose. Also it
is a good idea to use compost or mulch. After all, roses like
extra nutrients just like any other plant.
Roses need the same things as other plants; they just want a
little more in order to produce all of those beautiful, fragrant
blooms. One of the most important things to remember in rose
gardening is that roses are heavy feeders and will need several
fertilizer applications. Fertilizing should be started in
early spring and continue until early fall. Be sure you
don't over-fertilize (in other words; follow the directions on
the package) and water after each feeding. To reduce
the amount of time spent fertilizing, I have had great success with the
rose fertilizer spikes which can feed for up to 3 months.
Roses also consume large amounts of water; a thorough
watering twice a week should be enough.
Pruning is an essential element of flower gardening. It
increases blooms and encourages healthy plant growth.
Different varieties of roses may have different requirements for
pruning,
so you might want to read up on your rose types and see what is
suggested. However, general guidelines on pruning can be
found at www.PruneMyRoses.com/pruning.html.
The
most important thing to remember about rose gardening is to
water,
water, and then water some more. While watering will keep
your
roses growing, proper feeding and pruning is what will make the
difference between a pretty rose bush and a gorgeous rose bush covered
in big, beautiful, fragrant blossoms. Although roses
prefer
a bit more attention than most ordinary plants, they are also glad to
reward you for the little bit of extra care you give them;
definitely worth it!
|
