| Roses come in all shapes and sizes, making them | | | | soil. The organisms in the soil keep the nutrients |
| the pride of any garden. There beauty and | | | | fresh and can provide sustainable food for your |
| elegance is truly incomparable. | | | | roses to consume many years without using |
| Roses undeniably symbolize love and bring a level | | | | inorganic fertilizers. |
| of sophistication to any situation. The more | | | | On the other hand, adding a slow releasing |
| blooms your bush produces the more romance is | | | | fertilizer just prior to your roses coming out of |
| attached to them. Although many would be | | | | dormancy in the spring is a novel idea. Just before |
| rosarians think roses are the most difficult to | | | | your roses are preparing for the dormancy |
| maintain in the garden, that's not quite true. Read | | | | season, be sure to slow the application of any |
| on to discover why this should not be a concern | | | | slow release fertilizers. Beyond midsummer, it is |
| if you have the slightest doubt about your ability | | | | advisable to avoid fertilizing altogether. |
| to grow the rose. | | | | I prefer organic fertilizers, but as you can see |
| Those perfect pictures of roses you've adored | | | | inorganic ones work as well. However, I prefer |
| can be grown in your very own rose garden. | | | | the organic fertilizer approach. My plants seem to |
| Actually, rose gardening is more fun than | | | | do better, probably because organics are more |
| challenge. | | | | easily digested. |
| Water | | | | Pruning |
| Both animal and plants are mostly water. Keep | | | | Don't be afraid to prune your rose plants. This will |
| this basic idea in mind and you'll be able to grow | | | | produce fuller, larger and more vibrant blooms. |
| roses with very little effort. Most roses respond | | | | And if you want your blooms even bigger, albeit |
| best to early morning watering. You should soak | | | | fewer, consider concentrating on pruning the top |
| the area around the plant at least 12-14 inches | | | | growth. |
| deep. Since disease thrives on rose bush foliage | | | | Decide which you prefer. I usually go with a |
| when it comes into contact with water, avoid | | | | mixture throughout the garden. The best time for |
| splashing water on the leaves and stems of the | | | | pruning is in the spring. I consider it spring cleaning |
| plants. | | | | for my roses. Get rid of the diseased canes, |
| Conversely, you should give your rose bushes a | | | | broken, damaged and unsightly parts that may |
| gentle bath once a week. I use a sprayer | | | | distract from the look of your plant as it reaches |
| attached to my watering can because I want the | | | | the full bloom season. This is also a good time to |
| wash to be gentle and make sure all areas of the | | | | give your rose bush a shape. |
| plant are covered. This is one of the best | | | | You can also use this time to take cuttings for |
| preventive measures against destructive pests, | | | | new plants by removing and grafting flowering |
| while adding what roses enjoy most...humidity and | | | | buds. |
| moisture created by spraying the plant. | | | | Tools |
| Remember this rule of thumb, morning is for | | | | There are several tools essential for the pruning |
| water-bathing and afternoon is for sun-bathing. | | | | process. |
| Never water your roses in the afternoon. And | | | | (1) rose gardening gloves; |
| don't be concerned if the soil above ground is a | | | | (2) lopping shears with long handles; |
| bit dry in the afternoon, your roses compensate | | | | (3) sharp curved edge lopping shears. |
| with their deep roots which reach out and find the | | | | The better quality tools seem to make plants |
| water sources until you come along for another | | | | more responsive to your efforts at pruning. Plan |
| drenching. Watering for 25-30 minutes several | | | | how you'd like your bush to look and prune with |
| times a week will encourages growth. | | | | confidence. Your reward will be well-defined and |
| Feeding | | | | cleanly shaped plant which will bloom vigorously |
| Roses enjoy eating and drinking. Feeding your | | | | and generously. |
| roses is the next most growth encouraging action | | | | Here are some useful pruning tips: |
| you can take. When you see the first leaves | | | | (1) Modern varieties of roses will bloom all |
| during the growing season, this is the best time to | | | | summer when pruning is done correctly |
| feed your roses. | | | | (2) Once buds begin to form, prune your |
| The next major fertilizing period is right after the | | | | floribundas, grandifloras and hybrid-teas early in |
| blooms have reached their peak. | | | | the spring |
| The last fertilizing should be done just before | | | | (3) Once a year is enough for climbers and |
| hibernation, prior to the first frost. When you | | | | old-fashioned roses since their blooms form on |
| fertilize, the best method is to use scratch dry | | | | wood from prior years growth. |
| fertilizer. It's a little harsh so protect the leaves | | | | There you have it, simple and straight |
| and canes of your rose to prevent contact. | | | | forward...WFPT, water, food, pruning and the right |
| Afterwards, give your rose a long full drink of | | | | tools. |
| water. | | | | Roses have often been referred to as the |
| Make fertilizing part of your routine rose | | | | "hardest working plants in the garden". When you |
| maintenance, just as you do pruning or keeping | | | | use the skills and techniques mentioned above, |
| the area around them free from debris. If you | | | | you will be rewarded with the most envied |
| chose to avoid inorganic fertilizer and favor the | | | | garden in the neighborhood. |
| organic approach, be sure to properly prepare the | | | | |