Simple Tips to Take Care of Your Rose Garden
May 13, 2008 by The Gardener
Filed under Gardening, Roses
One of the most popular myths about rose gardening is that growing it is an impossible dream, which can only be accomplished by some one who is not just overtly ambitious but has plenty of time on his or her hands. The reality is far from it; in fact, growing a rose garden can be one of the most rewarding and attainable accomplishments, provided you have the ability to plan and maintain it. Obviously, growing and nurturing anything as beautiful as a rose garden would need some amount of patience.
A rose garden, like any other garden would need regular cleaning. Removing dead or fallen leaves and clearing all the accumulated garden debris would enable you to access the roots of the plant while watering. Or else, you will land up watering the stems, leaves and flowers, which in turn will attract fungus and other plant ailments.
Remember, mulch is a great friend of the rose garden. Not only does it keep the weeds away, but it also helps retain the right amount of moisture for the soil. Hence add mulch in your regular garden maintenance schedule once the first bloom appears. Did you know that in winter, because of the frequent change in cycle, between freezing and thawing, the underground root system of the plant also shifts and eventually gets damaged? So, during winter months you should strengthen the plant by covering it up with several inches of soil and add mulch to this covering. This will help the plant to survive the severity of winter months and emerge with nice and healthy blooms in early spring.
It is not wrong to say that water is the life-giver for any garden. But the right amount of water is important for a plant to survive – neither too much nor too less. Both these extremes can damage your plant beyond repair. Thus, when you water your rose plants, make sure that you sprinkle water only at the base. If you water the stems and leaves you would be attracting many types of fungal diseases as well as rust. The rose plants love their roots to be soaked with adequate water when it reaches six to eight inches deep into the soil, instead of the whole plant getting drenched in water.
Your rose plants need the right food for looking their best during the flowering season as well as remaining healthy during the dormant season. While you buy your fertilizers from the local garden store, you must follow the instructions for use very carefully as they vary according to the type of rose. As a general rule, rose plants should be fed with fertilizers during early spring, when the buds are just beginning to swell. The plants need to be fed again after they have produced a full bloom. The next feeding should be done during late summer for most climate zones. If the growing season in your climate is long, then the plants would need a feed during early October to withstand the harsh winter ahead.
The rules for maintaining a rose garden is simple. Following these simple schedules would result in a beautiful rose garden that you can be proud of.
Plant Website recommends MiniGarden.com, SiteKing.NET, and Williger.com.
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