Not a lot of space for a garden, but looking for some of the fun of planting and enjoying the beauty of a garden? Try something on a small scale by using a container to plant your bright blooms.
Anyone can grow plants in a container, as it is simple to design and plant, and a snap to maintain. Even apartment dwellers can have pots on a balcony or deck to brighten up the view. Containers have the distinct advantage of being moveable to change the look outside your home. They can also be a handy solution for a yard with poor drainage and soil.
The key to successful container gardening is to use a rich soil with manure and peat added, or use a bag of ready made peat-based growing mixture. Make sure there is plenty of good drainage in any container you use, so the plants don’t become water logged after a plentiful rain or watering.
Try using a 16 inch terra-cotta pot and add larger plants for an immediate flower show. Start in the center by setting the plants that work well together in shade or sun. Don’t forget some vinca vines, or ferns to hang over the edge to add some green. Some good choices for container gardens are the ever popular geraniums and impatients. Add some variety by including some dusty miller, salvia, and verbena. Or start with a geranium and add some ivy geranium and several Dahlberg daisies.
A combination of color can make the planter really fabulous, such as several shades of pink with some purple, or plants that carry out a theme of blue and white.
Use your imagination when selecting pots, making sure all have adequate drainage. Different size pots and crocks or strawberry planters and wooden planters can all be used together. Vary the height for interest.
One more tip, don’t forget to water frequently and pinch back the spent flower. Starting a planter garden is a sure fire way to add some color to your life! Have fun with it.
Showing posts with label yard work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yard work. Show all posts
Monday, August 3, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
How Much to Spend to Increase Curb Appeal
When investing in landscaping, try to get the most bang for the least amount of buck. You never want to spend a huge amount of money on a property if you’re planning on selling in the near future.
The idea is to do whatever is necessary to make the yard look clean and efficient. Buyers want a home that is easy to maintain. Prune the shrubs, keep the grass nicely mowed and green, and possibly add colorful flowers near the entry ways.
Make sure that your yard is not extravagant when compared to the other homes in the neighborhood. A buyer will tend to pay only as much as the other homes in the neighborhood are selling for. Therefore, if you overspend, it is unlikely that you will be able to recover your expenses.
The idea is to do whatever is necessary to make the yard look clean and efficient. Buyers want a home that is easy to maintain. Prune the shrubs, keep the grass nicely mowed and green, and possibly add colorful flowers near the entry ways.
Make sure that your yard is not extravagant when compared to the other homes in the neighborhood. A buyer will tend to pay only as much as the other homes in the neighborhood are selling for. Therefore, if you overspend, it is unlikely that you will be able to recover your expenses.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Creative Vegetable Gardens
If you wish to have a garden, but don’t feel you have the room, look again. A sloped hill which is hard to mow works great when planted in the wide row method. This strategy means to plant in three foot wide rows of the same or mixed plants.
Consider making a strip garden in the middle of the lawn. A small area around the drive way or deck could be used to plant.
Containers provide an excellent way to grow vegetables. Make sure these plants get frequent waterings.
Think about growing climbing vegetables in a long rectangular box and using the deck railing as a pole support.
Use one of these great methods and you can have a great vegetable garden in no time!
Consider making a strip garden in the middle of the lawn. A small area around the drive way or deck could be used to plant.
Containers provide an excellent way to grow vegetables. Make sure these plants get frequent waterings.
Think about growing climbing vegetables in a long rectangular box and using the deck railing as a pole support.
Use one of these great methods and you can have a great vegetable garden in no time!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Raised Bed Gardening
Do you long for some color around your house, but need a garden without a lot of maintenance? Consider creating a raised - bed garden against the house or near a property line. You will add three seasons of color and some low maintenance landscaping.
You can start small by spreading 12 inches of dirt, holding it in place with rocks. Start by planting from low to high so the bed rises in tiers and every plant shows well. Annuals can be mixed with perennials to keep the bed in flowers. Set the plants fairly close together at the start so the bed fills in fast.
You may need to divide the plants as they grow, but you will have a lot less weeding. You can also reduce weeds by spreading mulch on the new bed. Now just water, fertilize, and pick off the dead flowers and you will have a garden looking its best in no time!
You can start small by spreading 12 inches of dirt, holding it in place with rocks. Start by planting from low to high so the bed rises in tiers and every plant shows well. Annuals can be mixed with perennials to keep the bed in flowers. Set the plants fairly close together at the start so the bed fills in fast.
You may need to divide the plants as they grow, but you will have a lot less weeding. You can also reduce weeds by spreading mulch on the new bed. Now just water, fertilize, and pick off the dead flowers and you will have a garden looking its best in no time!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Carefree Perennial Gardens
Designing a perennial garden to accent your home and bring a bloom of color to the garden is well worth the investment of time and money. A well designed perennial garden can eventually be almost maintenance-free after it is established. What a wonderful reward to have those shoots of green peeking out of the ground after a long cold winter.
Choose perennials that will guarantee a season-long show of color by laying out a design on paper before planting. Consider the size of the garden, taking into account factors such as lawn size, shrubbery, the formal or informal look, and where the garden will be viewed.
You might want to consider a bed which stands alone in a large open area. Most people prefer to plant a border along a house, fence or walkway. The border will soften the lines between building and lawn and lend a dash of color and interest as well.
Choosing which plants to buy can be an overwhelming task if you arrive at the nursery unprepared. The primary requirements of the plants must match the soil, light and climate conditions of your garden. Ask for assistance if you are unfamiliar with the best plants for your area.
If you are a beginner you may want to start with the “cottage garden” look, which is essentially for people who don’t want something highly organized. Plants are added to suit the taste of the gardener.
The most important thing is to choose the plants that you love without regard to right and wrong. The effect will be a kaleidescope of color as the true cottage garden has a casual but charming appearance.
The nice thing is if you plant something and want to change it, you can even move perrenials to a new location the next year. So just get started and begin seeing the rewards in a blooming way!
Choose perennials that will guarantee a season-long show of color by laying out a design on paper before planting. Consider the size of the garden, taking into account factors such as lawn size, shrubbery, the formal or informal look, and where the garden will be viewed.
You might want to consider a bed which stands alone in a large open area. Most people prefer to plant a border along a house, fence or walkway. The border will soften the lines between building and lawn and lend a dash of color and interest as well.
Choosing which plants to buy can be an overwhelming task if you arrive at the nursery unprepared. The primary requirements of the plants must match the soil, light and climate conditions of your garden. Ask for assistance if you are unfamiliar with the best plants for your area.
If you are a beginner you may want to start with the “cottage garden” look, which is essentially for people who don’t want something highly organized. Plants are added to suit the taste of the gardener.
The most important thing is to choose the plants that you love without regard to right and wrong. The effect will be a kaleidescope of color as the true cottage garden has a casual but charming appearance.
The nice thing is if you plant something and want to change it, you can even move perrenials to a new location the next year. So just get started and begin seeing the rewards in a blooming way!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Garden Beauties
Have you been wondering what’s new? Or, what plants are tried and true? There are many recommendations advised by the experts. Here’s just a few that came in on the top of their list.
Two new roses come in ahead of the rest: ‘Carefree Delight,’ a relaxed 5-foot shrub rose, that covers itself with dainty 1-inch single pink flowers. Also, ‘Liven Easy,’ a four foot tall floribunda, blooms in clusters of two to five salmon-pink flowers, each up to 4 inches across.
Both roses flower steadily from late spring through fall and grow well without any spraying to control leaf diseases.
Also recommended is the ‘Oakleaf Hydrangea,’ a two season shrub. It’s one of the few deciduous shrubs that flower well in the shade. If you’d like more great flower and plant picks, talk to your garden center.
Two new roses come in ahead of the rest: ‘Carefree Delight,’ a relaxed 5-foot shrub rose, that covers itself with dainty 1-inch single pink flowers. Also, ‘Liven Easy,’ a four foot tall floribunda, blooms in clusters of two to five salmon-pink flowers, each up to 4 inches across.
Both roses flower steadily from late spring through fall and grow well without any spraying to control leaf diseases.
Also recommended is the ‘Oakleaf Hydrangea,’ a two season shrub. It’s one of the few deciduous shrubs that flower well in the shade. If you’d like more great flower and plant picks, talk to your garden center.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Some Guidlines for Selecting a Builder
So you’ve decided that a new home is for you. Make sure you follow some guidelines to make sure you’re happy with the home building process.
Select a reliable builder with a strong reputation in the area that you desire to live in. Try talking to people in the neighborhood about their home building experience. Were they happy with how the process went? Do they feel good about the end result? When you’ve narrowed down which builder you think you’d like to work with, then begin working out the details.
Think through in great detail, exactly what features you would like in your new home. You will prepare a detailed agreement before building, usually referred to as “plans and specifications.” It is easy to have misunderstandings if you are not very specific in this agreement.
Make sure if interest rates are low when the building process begins, that you “lock in” an interest rate. Do not allow any arrangement where the lender may increase the interest rate later if they go up before your home is finished. Also, make sure there is a definite completion date stipulated in your contract.
If there are any improvements or street repairs to be made in the neighborhood, find out in advance whether you or the builder will be responsible.
Keep an eye on how your new home is progressing during the building process. If things don’t seem to be going according to schedule, don’t be afraid to inquire with the builder. If changes are called for that deviate from the original agreement, get a written change order agreement drawn up. This will ensure no surprises at the closing.
If all of this seems like a lot for you to keep track of, call on me first, for help. I can help make sure you are being represented and protected properly. An investment this large deserves special attention to detail.
Select a reliable builder with a strong reputation in the area that you desire to live in. Try talking to people in the neighborhood about their home building experience. Were they happy with how the process went? Do they feel good about the end result? When you’ve narrowed down which builder you think you’d like to work with, then begin working out the details.
Think through in great detail, exactly what features you would like in your new home. You will prepare a detailed agreement before building, usually referred to as “plans and specifications.” It is easy to have misunderstandings if you are not very specific in this agreement.
Make sure if interest rates are low when the building process begins, that you “lock in” an interest rate. Do not allow any arrangement where the lender may increase the interest rate later if they go up before your home is finished. Also, make sure there is a definite completion date stipulated in your contract.
If there are any improvements or street repairs to be made in the neighborhood, find out in advance whether you or the builder will be responsible.
Keep an eye on how your new home is progressing during the building process. If things don’t seem to be going according to schedule, don’t be afraid to inquire with the builder. If changes are called for that deviate from the original agreement, get a written change order agreement drawn up. This will ensure no surprises at the closing.
If all of this seems like a lot for you to keep track of, call on me first, for help. I can help make sure you are being represented and protected properly. An investment this large deserves special attention to detail.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Flowers that Last
A flower that lasts for two to four weeks, even inside in the winter, has got to be popular. The amaryllis, a bulb that produces large, attractive, trump like flowers, is deserving of its reputation for being the easiest to grow of all the bulbs that bloom indoors.
If you visit Holland during the Christmas holidays, you’ll find the amaryllis standing in for the poinsettia as the Christmas flower. The indoor color and ease of growing make it a favorite.
It’s possible to have flowers last two to four weeks, and some growers have even planted multiple bulbs in order to enjoy consecutive flowers. The plants will produce three to five blooms on two stalks, one to two feet tall. The second stalk shoots up just as the first stalk’s flowers fade.
Unusual varieties are available, including miniatures like Scarlet Baby, with small flowers. Miniatures are especially suited for small sitting areas or anywhere space is limited.
Visit your local garden center and you’ll find amaryllis pre-potted or in planting kits. If you choose to purchase the bare-root bulb, follow these instructions: Before planting, place bulb and dangling roots in lukewarm water for several hours. Then place in a pot at least an inch wider than the bulb, leaving room for watering. Allow about a third to half of the top of the bulb to show.
Water sparingly until part of the stem and bud have developed. Water more liberally through the blooming stage, keeping the soil moist.
Amaryllis like a bright, warm room, about 70 degrees. Direct sunlight and a warmer room speed flowering. A cooler room will prolong the blooms.
If you enjoy flowers, keep the bulb growing outdoors, in the shade. Follow instructions for moving back indoors, and with luck, you’ll have blooms again in 4-12 weeks.
If you visit Holland during the Christmas holidays, you’ll find the amaryllis standing in for the poinsettia as the Christmas flower. The indoor color and ease of growing make it a favorite.
It’s possible to have flowers last two to four weeks, and some growers have even planted multiple bulbs in order to enjoy consecutive flowers. The plants will produce three to five blooms on two stalks, one to two feet tall. The second stalk shoots up just as the first stalk’s flowers fade.
Unusual varieties are available, including miniatures like Scarlet Baby, with small flowers. Miniatures are especially suited for small sitting areas or anywhere space is limited.
Visit your local garden center and you’ll find amaryllis pre-potted or in planting kits. If you choose to purchase the bare-root bulb, follow these instructions: Before planting, place bulb and dangling roots in lukewarm water for several hours. Then place in a pot at least an inch wider than the bulb, leaving room for watering. Allow about a third to half of the top of the bulb to show.
Water sparingly until part of the stem and bud have developed. Water more liberally through the blooming stage, keeping the soil moist.
Amaryllis like a bright, warm room, about 70 degrees. Direct sunlight and a warmer room speed flowering. A cooler room will prolong the blooms.
If you enjoy flowers, keep the bulb growing outdoors, in the shade. Follow instructions for moving back indoors, and with luck, you’ll have blooms again in 4-12 weeks.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Nothing Succeeds Like Success
Whether you’re in business, a student, or employed by a business, you need to know what it takes to
be a success. Once you have “arrived” you’ll get kudos from others, get a feeling of pride and
enthusiasm, and you will likely enjoy financial rewards, too.
What does it take to be a success? Thinking of Superman, Truth, Justice, and the American Way
come to mind. Or, ask a Boy Scout and you’ll likely hear a quote from the oath “Be honest,
brave, trustworthy, etc.” If you were asked by a youth, a friend, or a neighbor to give advice on
how to really become a success, what would be your advice?
Top minds have offered suggestions that include what to wear, how to speak, how to overcome
failure and shortcomings, and how to survive in a workplace, public environment, or in a family.
Here are some tips from a father upon dropping his son at college. Here is information we should
all have as a part of our operating manual and life instructions.
1. Be patient with everyone, especially those older than you. When driving, talking, or making
decisions, your elders deserve an extra minute or two. Avoid showing disrespect to your
parents, other people’s parents, and anyone’s grandparents.
2. Know your own shortcomings. Before criticizing anyone’s memory, handwriting,punctuality, or sense of humor, be sure yours are nearly perfect. It’s easy to point our otherpeople’s foibles, but tougher to cure our own. The time you spend improving yourself willreduce the time you’ll spend listening to criticism about you.
3. Never burn the bridges of a relationship or friendship. A disagreement about a few dollars loaned, a birthday forgotten, or a partyinvitation that was lost in the mail should not cause a permanent rift. Forgive now, because you’ll probably forget about it later, anyway. Unhappy families are sometimes more concerned with who was “in the right” than in getting along.
4. Know that you are not a bank. Loaning substantial amounts of money to a friend can result in an unpaid loan, and a lost friend, too.A wise man once suggested that you might loan a friend a small amount that you would be willing to forgive. Otherwise, be prepared to forgive the repayment of a larger amount. Keep your friend, and let them ask someone else for a loan. If you lose your friend because you won’t loan them money, then how good a friend can they be?
5. Be willing to do the things that most important people are not willing to do. Many a business owner in a fine suit has been seen picking up candy wrappers or soda cans in the parking lot of their office or shop. Why? Because no one else did.
6. Be personal and real, even if you don’t have to. Remembering names, birthdays, and taking time to care about people are keys to great men and women. Dale Carnegie said “The sweetest sound in any language is a person’s own name.”
7. Be accepting of other people’s success. Get used to the fact that many people will get promoted, awarded, or complimented. Some of these people may not be as deserving as you are. Support their success, and they’ll be more likely to support yours. Be careful how you handle the people you meet on the way up the ladder, because you’ll meet them again on the way down.
8. Be benevolent. If you have a chance to be nice, do it. If you can be generous, do it. If you have to be tough, give the other person’s
pride a way out. Winners will notice your grace, and everyone will admire your style.
9. Dress for success and to impress. Whatever your customers or co-workers expect, give them that, and a pinch more. Pay attention to your haircut, your shoes and shoeshine, and keep your glasses sparkling clean. Carry a fine quality briefcase, purse, or portfolio and you’ll be glad you did. Your pride and posture will be enhanced by attention to these details. Charles Revson, founder of REVLON cosmetics was known to have dozens of suits in his closet. All navy blue. Why? Because he looked his best in navy.
10. Do as much business by phone or email as you can, and save your meeting time for important issues, or emergencies. Wasting time over coffee, needless meals, or distracted meetings will cut your productivity and your fun factor. Ask if there is a way you can handle an item or decision over the phone or by mail. If you do meet, bring a pen, pad, and your calendar to any meeting so you’re ready to write, schedule, and move on.
11. The more success you have, the more decisions you’ll make. In the process, you’ll make some bad decisions. Accept responsibility for your mistakes, bad decisions, and failures. Boldly admitting your mistakes is the easiest way to be respected. Accept praise, when due. Be appreciative of the recognition. “Thank you” is a good way to acknowledge compliments or praise.
12. When the going gets tough, don’t get going. Stay put. Your resume of work or school experience will be a predictor of future performance. If you jump around at the first obstacle or delay, you will appear to be unstable. Stick it out as long as you can, and give yourself a chance to succeed. Michael Dell made $18,000 selling newspaper subscriptions while a high school senior. If he had failed at that, perhaps there would not be a Dell Computer.
13. Expect to work hard for everything you get. Television and our over-communicated society make it impossible to understand the effort required to earn a living, maintain good credit, and to save or invest for the future. Your impatience with the present has been created by advertising and marketing geniuses. Learn to put in long hours and to get very few easy wins along the way. When you’re given a bonus, a gift, or a promotion you earned, celebrate it! Tiger Woods may be the best golfer in history. However, he’s been playing golf well for over twenty years already. He had talent to start, but discipline, focus and an amazing work ethic are keys for him, and for you.
14. Breathe. Take big breaths when you find yourself stressed, tired, or dealing with a headache. Or take a walk. Whatever is bothering
you will pass. Remember, there are billions of people in the world who don’t even know you exist! Lighten up!
15. Have fun! Success is a journey, not an event! Hopefully your journey won’t be uphill both ways. Keep smiling as you build your career, your family, your hobby, whatever you do!
be a success. Once you have “arrived” you’ll get kudos from others, get a feeling of pride and
enthusiasm, and you will likely enjoy financial rewards, too.
What does it take to be a success? Thinking of Superman, Truth, Justice, and the American Way
come to mind. Or, ask a Boy Scout and you’ll likely hear a quote from the oath “Be honest,
brave, trustworthy, etc.” If you were asked by a youth, a friend, or a neighbor to give advice on
how to really become a success, what would be your advice?
Top minds have offered suggestions that include what to wear, how to speak, how to overcome
failure and shortcomings, and how to survive in a workplace, public environment, or in a family.
Here are some tips from a father upon dropping his son at college. Here is information we should
all have as a part of our operating manual and life instructions.
1. Be patient with everyone, especially those older than you. When driving, talking, or making
decisions, your elders deserve an extra minute or two. Avoid showing disrespect to your
parents, other people’s parents, and anyone’s grandparents.
2. Know your own shortcomings. Before criticizing anyone’s memory, handwriting,punctuality, or sense of humor, be sure yours are nearly perfect. It’s easy to point our otherpeople’s foibles, but tougher to cure our own. The time you spend improving yourself willreduce the time you’ll spend listening to criticism about you.
3. Never burn the bridges of a relationship or friendship. A disagreement about a few dollars loaned, a birthday forgotten, or a partyinvitation that was lost in the mail should not cause a permanent rift. Forgive now, because you’ll probably forget about it later, anyway. Unhappy families are sometimes more concerned with who was “in the right” than in getting along.
4. Know that you are not a bank. Loaning substantial amounts of money to a friend can result in an unpaid loan, and a lost friend, too.A wise man once suggested that you might loan a friend a small amount that you would be willing to forgive. Otherwise, be prepared to forgive the repayment of a larger amount. Keep your friend, and let them ask someone else for a loan. If you lose your friend because you won’t loan them money, then how good a friend can they be?
5. Be willing to do the things that most important people are not willing to do. Many a business owner in a fine suit has been seen picking up candy wrappers or soda cans in the parking lot of their office or shop. Why? Because no one else did.
6. Be personal and real, even if you don’t have to. Remembering names, birthdays, and taking time to care about people are keys to great men and women. Dale Carnegie said “The sweetest sound in any language is a person’s own name.”
7. Be accepting of other people’s success. Get used to the fact that many people will get promoted, awarded, or complimented. Some of these people may not be as deserving as you are. Support their success, and they’ll be more likely to support yours. Be careful how you handle the people you meet on the way up the ladder, because you’ll meet them again on the way down.
8. Be benevolent. If you have a chance to be nice, do it. If you can be generous, do it. If you have to be tough, give the other person’s
pride a way out. Winners will notice your grace, and everyone will admire your style.
9. Dress for success and to impress. Whatever your customers or co-workers expect, give them that, and a pinch more. Pay attention to your haircut, your shoes and shoeshine, and keep your glasses sparkling clean. Carry a fine quality briefcase, purse, or portfolio and you’ll be glad you did. Your pride and posture will be enhanced by attention to these details. Charles Revson, founder of REVLON cosmetics was known to have dozens of suits in his closet. All navy blue. Why? Because he looked his best in navy.
10. Do as much business by phone or email as you can, and save your meeting time for important issues, or emergencies. Wasting time over coffee, needless meals, or distracted meetings will cut your productivity and your fun factor. Ask if there is a way you can handle an item or decision over the phone or by mail. If you do meet, bring a pen, pad, and your calendar to any meeting so you’re ready to write, schedule, and move on.
11. The more success you have, the more decisions you’ll make. In the process, you’ll make some bad decisions. Accept responsibility for your mistakes, bad decisions, and failures. Boldly admitting your mistakes is the easiest way to be respected. Accept praise, when due. Be appreciative of the recognition. “Thank you” is a good way to acknowledge compliments or praise.
12. When the going gets tough, don’t get going. Stay put. Your resume of work or school experience will be a predictor of future performance. If you jump around at the first obstacle or delay, you will appear to be unstable. Stick it out as long as you can, and give yourself a chance to succeed. Michael Dell made $18,000 selling newspaper subscriptions while a high school senior. If he had failed at that, perhaps there would not be a Dell Computer.
13. Expect to work hard for everything you get. Television and our over-communicated society make it impossible to understand the effort required to earn a living, maintain good credit, and to save or invest for the future. Your impatience with the present has been created by advertising and marketing geniuses. Learn to put in long hours and to get very few easy wins along the way. When you’re given a bonus, a gift, or a promotion you earned, celebrate it! Tiger Woods may be the best golfer in history. However, he’s been playing golf well for over twenty years already. He had talent to start, but discipline, focus and an amazing work ethic are keys for him, and for you.
14. Breathe. Take big breaths when you find yourself stressed, tired, or dealing with a headache. Or take a walk. Whatever is bothering
you will pass. Remember, there are billions of people in the world who don’t even know you exist! Lighten up!
15. Have fun! Success is a journey, not an event! Hopefully your journey won’t be uphill both ways. Keep smiling as you build your career, your family, your hobby, whatever you do!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Rewards of a Rose Garden
Roses have the reputation of being difficult, fussy plants that require a great deal of attention and time. Although it takes some effort on your part to maintain the beauty and health of a rose garden, the reward of numerous blossoms in wonderful vibrant colors is sufficient reward for most gardeners. A little water, fertilizer, and spray, on a weekly basis, can be a pleasant excuse to spend time in your fragrant garden.
Your rose bed should be planted where it receives full or partial sunshine at least six hours a day. There are varieties of roses that thrive in more shade but they will not be as fragrant as the others. Good drainage is also critical for roses. They like a lot of water, but do not like wet feet, so a raised bed of at least ten to fifteen inches high is a solution. It also makes gardening chores easier. Roses do best in loamy soil with high humus content. Amend the soil with organic matter such as compost, peat moss or cow manure and be sure to test the soil to determine the acidity.
Check with a nursery in your area for tips on when to transplant roses, but generally, any time from spring to fall, or when the plant is dormant and the ground is workable. Water every 3 or 4 days, soaking the soil to 8 inches; and fertilize depending on your type of soil, but usually about once every 4-6 weeks.
Lots of varieties of roses are available. The choices include climbing roses, tree roses, miniature roses, hybrid perpetual roses, grandiflora roses, and antique roses to name a few. Look at your space and the view from the house to determine how you want to define the space for planting. The rose can serve many functions including becoming a fragrant hedge, which provides bouquets of fresh cut flowers to decorate the inside of your home.
Give roses a try. The rewards are many and the satisfaction of seeing a perfect rose that you have grown makes it well worth the effort.
Your rose bed should be planted where it receives full or partial sunshine at least six hours a day. There are varieties of roses that thrive in more shade but they will not be as fragrant as the others. Good drainage is also critical for roses. They like a lot of water, but do not like wet feet, so a raised bed of at least ten to fifteen inches high is a solution. It also makes gardening chores easier. Roses do best in loamy soil with high humus content. Amend the soil with organic matter such as compost, peat moss or cow manure and be sure to test the soil to determine the acidity.
Check with a nursery in your area for tips on when to transplant roses, but generally, any time from spring to fall, or when the plant is dormant and the ground is workable. Water every 3 or 4 days, soaking the soil to 8 inches; and fertilize depending on your type of soil, but usually about once every 4-6 weeks.
Lots of varieties of roses are available. The choices include climbing roses, tree roses, miniature roses, hybrid perpetual roses, grandiflora roses, and antique roses to name a few. Look at your space and the view from the house to determine how you want to define the space for planting. The rose can serve many functions including becoming a fragrant hedge, which provides bouquets of fresh cut flowers to decorate the inside of your home.
Give roses a try. The rewards are many and the satisfaction of seeing a perfect rose that you have grown makes it well worth the effort.
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