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The Basics of Organic Rose Gardening

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Starting from the breakfast cereals to the vegetables on the superstore, every thing seems to have an ‘organic’ origin these days. What is the true significance of the term ‘organic’ really? While there are numerous definitions and theories available explaining the term, when it is a matter of gardening or rose gardening in particular, the meaning is very simple. Organic gardening is nothing but letting the plants grow naturally after the soil is fed with natural nutrients. This means that the plant grows with out any assistance from chemical fertilizers or ‘harmful’ pesticides. In other words, organic gardeners work in conjunction with nature rather than controlling the soil with the help of any chemical supplement.

There are many ways in which you could include organic gardening ideas in to your own rose garden. According to experts, appropriate priming of the soil is crucial if you wish to see your rose garden healthy and blooming. Start by digging the soil about a foot deep. Do not throw away the dug up soil, as you will need it at a later stage. Then add compost, peat moss and manure to this soil and then continue digging, this time mixing the soil with the additives. This will make sure that you have begun your rose gardening on a right note, as you have used only natural ingredients. Before you begin planting, add some bone meal to the first layer of dirt and replace the first foot of the soil.

To preserve the natural nutrients of the soil, mulch is an important additive. In summer it helps keep the weeds away and retains the moisture level of the soil. Mulch benefits the soil even in winter when it offers protection to your roses from the perilous cycle of freezing and thawing which damages the underground roots of the plant caused by the frequent shifts which it entails.

To protect the roots of the plant during harsh winter months, you could strengthen it by adding several inches of soil to which mulch has been added. This protective measure will ensure that a healthy plant will show up in early spring.

While retaining the moisture of the soil as well as regular feeding with organic ingredients like peat moss will guarantee healthy growth of the plant, you have to take care of the several varieties of garden bugs and pests. According to organic gardening theory, bugs are part of nature and thus part of any garden also. Your local garden store can supply your with organic solutions in the event of any persistent pest problem which you might be facing.

Companion planting is another concept frequently used by organic gardeners. These additional plants not only add to the overall beauty of your garden but also keep many common pests at bay. Examples of useful companion plants are onion and garlic. The added benefit of these companion plants is that it adds to the variety in your garden.

A very intelligent way to avoid using chemical or artificial fertilizers yet get the most out of your rose gardening efforts is to choose the particular rose types which are indigenous to your area. You could easily get as may varieties in color and size of roses which are well-suited to your climate as well as soil. These flowers are easiest to grow as they need only the basic care and are well suited to your natural environment.

Thus organic gardening and organic rose gardening is not just a pleasurable experience but strikingly simple too.

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Tips for Rose Garden Maintenance

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It is unfortunate that rose gardens have earned the wrong reputation of being difficult to maintain. The truth of the matter is that rose garden is easy to take care of even for a novice gardener. All you need is the knowledge of maintaining, protecting and pruning the garden and you can expect healthy, good looking roses for many years in the future.

Like any garden, a rose garden also requires regular cleaning. You must take care to remove all dead and fallen leaves as well as all unnecessary garden debris so that you are able to access the roots of the plants when you water the. Or else, you will land up watering the stems and leaves which in turn will attract fungal diseases as well as rust. Remember rose plants should be watered only at the roots and no where else on the plant body.

Like any living thing, rose plants also need food at the right time to look healthy through out the flowering season as well as during the dormant season. While there are many varieties of fertilizers available at any local garden store, be careful to read the instructions for use printed on every label which many vary according to the type of rose. The right amount of fertilizer is important for proper growth and maintenance of your rose plant. The thumb rule is to feel the plants during early spring when the buds are starting to swell. After the plant has produced a full bloom, it is feeding time again. For most climate zones, the plants have to be fed during late summer. A fourth feeding in early October may be needed if you live in a climate zone which has a long growing season.

Mulch is always a good friend for the rose garden. in summer it retains the moisture level and keeps it at a constant level. Thus, mulch must be added to your regular plant care schedule shortly before the first bloom appears. Similarly, during winter months, the root system of the plants stands to get damaged due to the frequent freezing and thawing cycle. Mulch can protect the root system from such damages if you reinforce the plant with several inches of soil and add mulch to this soil.

Careful pruning is the last tip for the successful maintenance of your rose garden. The recommended time is early spring when pruning should be done for a healthy and reproductive growth through out the flowering season. Get yourself a good and strong pair of shears for your pruning exercise. Take special care of the central part of your rose bush and prune this area specifically. This will ensure circulation of fresh air till much later in the season. All dead wood, weak growth and old canes must be removed at this point. The ideal height to which the plant has to be cut would depend largely on the type of rose plant and the specific recommendation. Rub alcohol on your pruning shears to prevent any spreading of mold or fungus to other parts of the plant or your garden.

Following these simple tips you can turn your rose garden into a dream garden which can add beauty and glamour to your landscape.

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Understanding the Rose Types

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The initial planning stage for a rose garden may throw you off balance, when you visit the local garden store to be greeted by innumerable varieties of roses. There are countless numbers of colors, shapes and sizes to choose from. The sheer range of the varieties of roses that one can access for a garden is simply incredible. Hybrid tea, floribunda, shrubs and ground cover, climbers and heirloom roses are the main types of roses and each variety can claim its individual characteristics and are suitable for different types of landscapes.

One of the critical aspects of growing a rose garden, which you must always keep in mind, is the plant’s love for sunlight. A rose plant may grow according to the height and shape which is typical of that particular species but whichever type of rose you choose sunlight would be the main concern. Thus, when you choose a spot for growing rose plants in your garden, make sure that the spot gets at least 5 to 6 hours of good sunlight per day.

Hybrid tea roses look lovely when planted in rows through out the garden. They make excellent cutting flowers and have large blooms which show up mostly on single stems. Floribunda roses on the other hand are known for their breathtaking beauty and show up with many medium sized flowers on a single stem. Ground cover roses, selected primarily for size and color, behave much like shrubs. As the name suggests, climbers can be taught to look like a vine by tying them to a trellis during their growth phase.
The origin of heirloom roses can be traced back to the 19th century. This particular type has recently staged a comeback in terms of popularity. They are tough plants and the flowers are famous for their fragrance.

You must sit back and visualize your rose garden before you actually select any particular variety of rose. It is always interesting to see a mix of many varieties and sizes of roses rather than looking at rows of same type of roses in a garden. You must also think of the color scheme which you wish to give your garden as colors enhance the look and overall feel. For designing your garden in the most optimal way, you could consult catalogs, magazines or even online resources. Like all gardens a good planning will result in a good looking, healthy and colorful garden in the long run.

Once your planning for the garden is over, you must follow certain easy maintenance tips if you wish to see your rose garden prosper well for long number of years in the future. For instance, a rose garden must be cleaned regularly. Remove all dead and fallen leaves as well as other usual garden debris as often as you can. This will enable you to reach the roots of the plant while watering. Or else, you will eventually water the stem and leaves, which in turn will attract various fungal diseases and other problems for your plants.

Your plants will need timely feeding for proper growth not only during flowering seasons but also during dormant months. There are plenty of fertilizers available at the local garden store. Whichever fertilizer you choose, make sure that you follow the specific directions for use so that your plants remain healthy and grow optimally. Mulch is a great friend of the rose garden and so is careful pruning, both of which add life and vigor to the plant’s growth for great many years in the future.

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