Rose Garden Pests

Archive for March, 2010

A Beginners Guide To The Rose Garden

March 29th, 2010

Roses are one of the most popular domesticated plants around the world today. Protected and treasured, they hold universal appeal; whether around the cottage doorway or the grandest palace grounds. Today there is a rose for every place and purpose, from the formal garden, arbors, trellises and fences to hedges, accent plants and decorative features on patios or terraces. One of the most versatile plants, the rose is an exciting plant for any one interested in gardening.

There are several factors in successfully growing roses of fine quality in your home garden. They include: location, fertile soil, drainage, correct planting, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, winter protection and the control of pests.

Location

In order to produce a good bloom, roses need a minimum of six hour of sun light a day. While not necessary, roses should get a good dose of light shade in the afternoon as this will help their blooms retain color longer. They should be planted away from trees, shrubs or hedges which are heavy surface feeders as this will deprive the roses of much needed nutrients and water. Roses also need good air circulation and don’t like confined spaces.

Soil

The most important requirements for the soil in which you will grow your roses are drainage and fertility. Roses can thrive in fairly heavy clay or sandy loam soils if these two requirements are met. The Ideal soil for growing roses is a good garden loam with lots of organic matter. Roses also prefer a slightly acid soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5

Drainage

While roses need large quantities of water for their best growth, it is absolutely essential that they have good drainage as they will be seriously injured in standing water. To fix areas with high water tables or poor drainage, laying tiles or crushed stone under the planting will assist the water draining away.

Planting

Roses may be planted in the autumn after the bushes have stopped active growth and are dormant but before the ground freezes. They can also be planted in the early spring while the plants are still dormant or they can be planted as potted roses after growth has started. Spring planting should be done as early in the spring as the ground can be successfully worked. Care must be taken when planting potted roses to not break the ball of earth it was planted in.

Growing distances will depend on the type and variety of the roses you will be planting. However, because of their very vigorous growing habits most roses should be planted about 2 feet apart in general.

The roots of the rose should never be exposed to the sun or wind before planting, but should be kept wrapped in wet paper or moss and left in a dark place like a plastic bag or the garden shed.

In a hole of ample size, place the rose so that the roots are in a natural position and the point of union between the stock and the scion is between 1 and 2 inches below the surface. Planting to high will cause the rose to not have enough support and planting to deep will starve the rose of oxygen. After back filling and packing in the soil firmly, thorough watering will be needed.

Pruning

The purpose of pruning is to remove dead or weak wood and to maintain height and form. Pruning is dependant on the type of rose you have planted and the part of the world you are in. However there are several fundamentals which apply to all varieties and locals.

1. All dead cane should be removed at the base.

2. Winter damaged canes should be cut back to sound wood.

3. Canes interfering with the height or shape of the plant, or canes that are rubbing other canes should be cut back or removed.

4. Sharp pruning should always be used. Dull shears will damage the plant making fungal and bacterial growth easier.

5. Cuts should be made just above the bud, slanting in the same direction of the bud and as close to the bud a s possible without causing damage to it.

Mulching and winter protection

Roses benefit from mulching in the summer. Mulch roses with your desired material making sure not to exceed 1 inch in depth.

Winter protection is dependant on local, climate, exposure and hardiness. Make sure that the ground is well supplied with water. Soil should be brought up around the roses to a height of 10 to 15 inches. After the ground has frozen, mulch with hay or a similar material.

There are few flowers which bring the touches of warmth and graciousness, of the color and beauty to the surroundings of the modest home like the rose.

True gardening stories: The worst pest experience – Part 8

March 27th, 2010

I remember growing up as a young girl in Simi Valley, CA. We lived in a newly developed neighborhood amongst a vast number of orange groves. The town was relatively new. There weren’t many tracks of homes built yet, so unfortunately there were a lot of grasshoppers.

I remember these ugly, large, brown creatures crawling up the walls of my house. They were on the fences, in the street, and sometimes even floating in the pool. They were everywhere.

I can’t quite remember any particular catastrophe concerning these dreadful insects but one thing is for certain, I am a grownup now, with a grasshopper phobia.

Because of my irrational fear of grasshoppers I’ve never been big on gardening. No matter how beautiful my next door neighbor’s yard is, I can’t seem to get myself to plant anything of real beauty in my yard. Gardens have to be tended to and I know where grasshoppers live. Needless to say I am a huge fan of the rock garden.

Looking back quite a few years I am reminded of the first house my husband and I purchased. There were definitely too many trees for my liking, so I immediately hired a gardener to do my trimming. Of course I put him in charge of all the outdoor chores. There was however a large rose bush that lined the back wall. It was a pretty bush with gorgeous yellow roses. The gardener informed me that the flowers would grow bigger, brighter and more often if I kept the tree pruned. I asked him, of course, why he didn’t do it for me; he mentioned something about upping the cost and not really having the time.

God knew there was no way I was trimming any rose bush so I just decided I didn’t care what the yellow roses looked like or even whether or not they grew. In fact, I opted to have the whole tree taken out.

A few months later after ignoring the bush completely I noticed one lone flower growing in the midst of the tree. It looked so pretty there all alone and I thought what a shame that there wasn’t more of this beautiful flower growing.

Suddenly it came to me that if I’d trim that tree as I had been advised, then the tree would spring forth more beauty. “Okay.” I said to myself. “I’ll trim the tree.” It wasn’t the best time of year for trimming trees. It was a warm day in the middle of September, perfect grasshopper weather. But I got my clippers, my gloves and I set out to bring beauty to my backyard.

First I got the hose and drenched the bush from top to bottom and side to side. I was certain if there were any pesky creatures in there

Landscaping With Roses

March 26th, 2010

Roses have many uses in the home garden, both as standalone bushes and climbers and as part of an overall landscape of plants and flowers. The newest thinking in landscape gardening is to combine roses with other types of native plants and flowers, and roses certainly lend themselves to a striking place in the garden.

Roses are also wonderful when used to enhance and highlight areas of the home or surrounding landscape. For example, climbing roses can be trained to grow up and over a trellis or to highlight and enhance a bare wall or garden shed. In addition, a spray of yellow roses growing against a brick or stone home can be a beautiful addition to the landscape.

Landscaping with roses is one of the best ways to add beauty to the home, and even to enhance its value. Before you can landscape effectively with roses, however, it is important to determine just where roses will fit in your landscape, and how best to use them. Landscaping with roses is not difficult, but it is important to plan properly before the first rosebush goes into the ground.

Planning for next springs garden should begin the winter before the garden is to be planted. Planning early allows you to determine the best location for the roses in the garden, and to research the varieties that are most likely to thrive in your climate.

It is also important to ask yourself what you want to get out of your roses. Roses can be used for many different reasons, from providing an attractive ground cover to providing a dramatic backdrop for a beautiful home.

Planning is also important in order to prevent rose specific problems. There are, for instance, a number of pests and diseases that are specific to roses, and it is important to take steps to prevent those problems before planting your roses. It is also important to ask yourself how much time you have to devote to growing roses, since some varieties are harder to grow than others. If your time is limited, it may be best to stick to hardier, easier to grow varieties.

It is also important to choose roses in colors that will best highlight your home and exterior landscape. For instance, a spray of white roses can be quite striking against a dark colored home, just as red roses can beautifully compliment a white exterior.

It is also important to examine your landscape and determine which roses will work best where. For example, hybrid musk roses grow well even in less than full sun, so they are often used in shady areas. It is important to note, however, that hybrid musk roses do not do as well in colder climates. It is important to take your own climate into account, as well as sun and shade considerations, when planning your rose landscape.

Bugs that are good for your garden

March 25th, 2010

It’s been a long wait, but finally another glorious Spring has finally arrived, and you’ve carefully prepared your garden and flower-beds for another growing season. You’ve tilled the soil and pulled out all the weeds and dead plants from the previous season. You made your annual pilgrimage to the neighborhood garden nursery and picked out your flower bulbs, bedding-out plants, and favorite vegetable seeds.

Now you just have to figure out the best way to get rid of the insects that are buzzing, hovering, and crawling around your yard.

It’s important to resist the urge to spray your yard with pesticides to get rid of all the insects. Most insects are neither harmful nor helpful, but most likely there will be a few species in your yard that are harmful to your plants. The good news is, there are just as many beneficial insects that will help fight them off. It’s just a matter of doing your homework and learning how to identify them.

ladybugs are experts at getting rid of aphids that love to attack rose bushes. They also eat fungal spores, mealybugs, and spider mites. It’s possible to lure ladybugs to your yard by planting specific flowers that tend to attract them. Yellow Alyssum, candy-tuft, and phlox are ideal choices. If you choose not to plant them in your flower beds, you can pot them and set the pots around the infested rose bushes.

The Praying Mantis is another great choice for ridding your yard of unwanted insects. A Mantis nest looks similar to a small bee’s nest, and if you happen to come across a nest, put it in a jar until the Mantis eggs hatch. Cover the top of the jar with a netting so they can breathe. Once the eggs hatch, simply release them into the garden.

Whatever you do, don’t chase off Dragonflies that you spot buzzing around your yard. Those big Dragonflies are your new best friend and are on a mission to devour as many mosquito eggs and larvae as they can.

It’s probably the common Earthworm that is most beneficial to the over-all health and yield of your flower beds and vegetable garden. They tunnel through the ground and are instrumental in allowing water to drain and sufficient oxygen to reach plant roots. They also eat dead plants and in the process convert the debris into useful compost. Through this process, the work done by the Earthworm will ensure that your soil is nutrient-rich and ready for planting.

Ultimately, it’s important to realize that every insect in your garden is not necessarily your enemy. If you have doubts about what insects to encourage and which ones to get rid of, there are several good books available on the subject. One very good choice would be “The American Horticultural Society Pests and Diseases.”

Organic Gardening – Part 1

March 23rd, 2010

After a hard week in the workplace, many people find gardening therapeutic. Its good exercise and it gives a feeling of achievement when you see the fruits of your labor. Another consideration for a lot of people is the chance to eat organically. You know exactly whats gone into your food. Youre in control, whether youre growing fruit, vegetables, herbs or flowers. Also, theres no transportation involved in your food reaching the table, and therefore, no pollution. Its an opportunity to re-connect with nature, and to teach children the value of working to create your own food, instead of pulling another plastic bag off the supermarket shelf. After all, its the way it was for hundreds of years, before the human race began to manipulate Mother Nature.
Many parents are concerned about their childrens diets, and are turning to growing their own food. Studies have shown children absorb four to five times more pesticides thought to be carcinogenic, from food than adults do. This can build up problems for their health, as they grow older.

So what are the benefits of organic gardening? Cost is always uppermost in peoples minds, particularly if you have to provide food on a budget. Growing organically means not using expensive pesticides, herbicides, artificial supplements and chemical fertilizers. Garden pests and diseases can be controlled naturally. For example, aphids can be removed from vegetables with the aid of the humble marigold growing nearby. There is no need to add anything artificial to the soil. No family member or any pets will be harmed from pesticides. Chemicals can do their harm, simply by a little being absorbed through the skin. Nothing poisonous will seep into the waterways, resulting in polluting fish and their habitat Instead of using pesticides or fertilizers; you can make your own compost, just as in years gone by, from kitchen and garden waste. It just takes a bit of time, but it can be fun, and its better than throwing everything away. Compost can even be made from coffee grounds, it doesnt smell bad either. Vegetable and potato peelings, (organic of course!), need to be well drained, as compost does not like being wet. To get a good texture for the compost heap, you need a varied mix of different materials. Rose prunings are a good idea.

There are many practical tips for the organic gardener to use, which helps him to grow healthy plants, save the environment and they are inexpensive. A recipe for mulch, to remove weeds and keep the soil moist, is to mix together grass clippings and pine needles. A cheap option in the battle against garden pests is to make a spray by combining dishwashing soap, water and cooking oil. All it takes is a bit of ingenuity.

Organic methods also help to reduce erosion through the loss of topsoil.

Most people whove tasted their own organically grown produce, never want to go back to conventional food. Taste buds come alive, and you start to think of the garden as a holistic place, where the cycle of life can be observed. Plants grow strong and are colorful, as long as you give care and attention to the needs of the soil, making sure the nutrients are there, and use natural methods to control those pesky bugs, diseases and weeds.

It doesnt matter if you have palatial grounds or a tiny back yard; the organic principle is the same. Youll learn as you go, and have tasty food into the bargain.

Rose Garden Pests

Archive for March, 2010

A Beginners Guide To The Rose Garden

Related Posts:

True gardening stories: The worst pest experience – Part 8

Related Posts:

Landscaping With Roses

Related Posts:

Bugs that are good for your garden

Related Posts:

Organic Gardening – Part 1

Related Posts: