Top Notch Advice To Perfect Your Organic Garden
Spacing is one important factor in gardening. Many people underestimate the space needed for plants to grow to their full size. Beyond just the physical space that the plants will need, you should also consider the airflow that the plants will require. Therefore, ensure that you allow for ample spaces between your seedlings.
Regularity is the key to keeping your organic garden in order, don’t let your list of chores pile up. Sometimes it might prove difficult to get in a little gardening time every day. However, you shouldn’t fret, as there are a few things you can do that can minimize the time you spend gardening when you do manage to get to it. For example, if you have a dog, pull a few weeds while you are outdoors with the dog. Over time, you keep your garden weed free without adding any additional time on to your day.
You can create a tent with some material from home during winter for your organic garden. Bean poles are an easy and obvious way to create a frame. Then, throw sheets on top of them, and use bricks to keep the edges held down. This is an inexpensive way to cover your growing crops during the cold winter months.
If you over-water your plants, they can’t get all the nutrients they need from the dirt. If you are going to water your plants outdoors, you should first check the weather for you area to see if any rain is coming that day. Skip watering your plants for a couple of days if a heavy rainstorm has descended; natural rainwater can be particularly good for your plants as well.
Go ahead and make your own compost so you have access to your own fertilizer in your garden. Start off with just a little worm compost bin. Put some red wiggler worms in your bin along with a bit of dirt, your kitchen scraps, and some shreds of newspaper.
For some plants, pine needles makes an ideal mulch. Acidic soil is a favorite of garden plants that are high in acidity. If you are growing these types of plants, simply gather up fallen pine needles for use in your garden. Covering your plant beds with a layer of pine needles will allow the pine needles to disperse their acidic nutrients into the soil for your plants.
Use ample mulch to help your plants to retain enough water. The greater the amount of mulch you can supply, the less water you’ll have to use. You can get it from the store, parts of trees, or dead plant materials. The important factor is that you use plenty of it.
The best option available to water an organic garden are soaker hoses. These hoses deliver water directly to the roots of your plants and keep their leaves dry. Soaker hoses do not waste as much water as sprinklers but are still easier than hand-watering the organic garden.
Think about the shades trees will cast before planting them. That way, you are likely to see lower energy bills due to the shade offered by your trees.
The information you’ve been given in this article should have done a great deal to ease any apprehension that you have about starting your own organic garden. By using the advice you have read here, you can enjoy wholesome foods that are grown in your own yard, quickly and easily.
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Categories: Gardener Tips Tags: Acidity, Airflow, Bean Poles, Cold Winter, Fertilizer, Garden Plants, Heavy Rainstorm, Kitchen Scraps, List Of Chores, Mulch, Organic Garden, Physical Space, Pine Needles, Rainwater, Red Wiggler Worms, Regularity, Seedlings, Shreds, Top Notch, Worm Compost Bin
Your Questions About Planting Roses In Spring
Maria asks…
What to plant roses?
I was wondering when the best time to plant my rose bushes was. I have several of them that have to be planted soon but the weather isn’t the best. When is the best time to plant them, in early spring. If I plant them too early will they die. How to protect them before there in the ground. The best fertilizer to use????????
MrRoseGarden answers:
I managed planted rose plants late last year. Yeah, it all depends on where you live. Get this very informative site all about roses you need to know to grow them.
John asks…
When should you plant roses?
I would like to plant some roses in my large back garden, climbing roses and large headed roses, can I plant them now or should it be Spring? Any more tips?
MrRoseGarden answers:
Its best to plant in spring time
Donald asks…
What’s the best way to transport 3 newly planted trees (6 ft tall), 6 roses, 2 apple trees & one cherry tree?
We’re moving from ID to CA and I want to take with me all the trees I planted last spring. What’s the best way to transport them without having to put them in big pots during the move? Pots are too heavy and difficult to put in a moving truck. I will transplant them into pots later. How long will they stay in the remedy you suggest?
MrRoseGarden answers:
You cannot take them into Ca. You will be asked at the Agriculture inspection Station if you have any fruits, vegetables or live plants. Without a State certification from Idaho you will not be allowed to take them into Ca. Cheaper to buy new ones. The fines are huge if you get caught trying to sneak them in.
Carol asks…
Its spring again, and i want my champion roses to grow better than last year…what can i use?
roses planted a year ago, kids have kicked it over, have the plant staked in new soil and water it everyother day….
MrRoseGarden answers:
Use Spray-N-Grow – It’s an organic-based micronutrient complex….basically like vitamins for your roses.
Joseph asks…
Knockout roses…..I live in Indiana and planted 6 knockout roses in the spring?
It is now Oct. should I cut them back for the winter or leave them alone till Feb.???
MrRoseGarden answers:
I would leave them alone, prune off the dead ends in early Spring after you see them coming to life again. Be sure you cut them back at an angle, don’t make straight cuts. If there are obvious dead branches sticking out right now, yes cut those off now if you want, other than that tho, from my experience, I would wait until early Spring. (Also, with them being young and going through their first Spring, if you have warning of a hard frost in early Spring, I would definitely cover your Knockouts with a sheet to protect them.)
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Categories: Caring For Roses FAQ Tags: Amp, Apple Trees, Best Time, Champion, Cherry Tree, Climbing Roses, Early Spring, Fertilizer, Fruits Vegetables, Garden Roses, Last Spring, Moving Truck, Planting Roses, Pots, Remedy, rose bushes, Soil And Water, Spring Time, Vitamins, Weather
Your Questions About Planting Roses In A Pot
Linda asks…
How do you take care of planted roses?
My man got me a pot of real roses that I want to take care of and plant in the spring. Do they need lots or little water and sunlight? When should I plant them outdoors? Do they need a bigger pot?
MrRoseGarden answers:
I would get them into the ground now, they need lots of water and sun
Robert asks…
I have a Miniature rose plant in a pot in my kitchen. Is there anything i need to do to it?
Its just that its winter outside, and my little rose bush is all happy and producing flowers in the window. Do they need to “hibernate” or need a period of cold to do well, Or will he just keep on being a happy little rose bush all winter? His name is Dennis, if that matters, and he is 6 1/2 inches tall.
MrRoseGarden answers:
Cherish your little rose bush,keep him warm on the windowsill and don’t over feed or over water.Miniature roses,like Dennis are specially propagated as pot plants.
Sad to say,their life span is generally restricted to a season or two.
Sharon asks…
What is the best pot for my rose plant, and bushes?
I bought a rose tree that says it needs to be in a well drained pot. What type of pot do I need? I have some big plastic ones, that seem to have that area for water to flow up at the bottom…?
MrRoseGarden answers:
I never heard of putting plants in pots they are perennial so the will need lots of room over the years.
But id you really want to put it in a pot. I would get about the biggest one I could find. Plastic or clay is fine.
Daniel asks…
Frost the next few nights, What’s best way to protect tomato plant in a huge pot, and new planted rose bush?
Not worried about perennials because they come back. Just planted this large rose bush though.
MrRoseGarden answers:
In the garden we used to use qt canning jars — the main thing is covering them against the frost nips.
Thomas asks…
Why are my roses growing bad after I put fertilizer?
I had recently planted 2 rose shrubs in pots. I had 3 beautiful roses. After about 2-3 weeks of planting, I applied ‘Rose Thrive’ (fertilizer) and now there is a ‘white powder’ like on the stems; the rose have turned a shade of green with pink spots, and leaves have yellow edges? Could you tell me what’s gone wrong? thanks
Thanks Donna I will try that.
MrRoseGarden answers:
If they were just planted and you fertilized them you may have ‘burnt’ them with the fertilizer. They are pretty tough so they will probably recover with time (don’t fertilize for a while though). They could have ‘black spot’ (common rose disease), don’t panic will recover. Don’t water roses on the leaves, this encourages fungus diseases which they are prone to. Try to water with drip irrigation etc. A good health building tonic for them would be Seasol or any good sea weed extract. Available at nurseries you add it to water and water plants. It’s marvellous and is a transplant shock prev enter and root promotor but doesn’t burn.
If you had alot of rain at the time of planting you could have these fungal problems. Just keep plant watered but only when needed and see what happens. Do not fertilize again.
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Categories: Caring For Roses FAQ Tags: Bushes, Canning Jars, Fertilizer, Flowers In The Window, Life Span, Little Water, Miniature Rose, Miniature Roses, Nips, Perennials, Planting Roses, Pot Plants, Pots, Real Roses, rose bush, Rose Tree, Shrubs, Sunlight, Tomato Plant, Windowsill
Your Questions About Planting Roses In Clay Soil
Donna asks…
Can roses grow in heavy clay soil?
I keep hearing that roses can grow in heavy clay soil from doing some research on-line, but I’m skeptical. Here is what I have:
Soil – Clay
Moisture – Moist
Ph – 6.7 – 7.0
Zone – 8
Drainage – Poor to Fair
Plant success in current soil – Daylilies, Peonies, and Asters
Plant failures – Texas Sage
Is it possible to grow roses in clay? I am not too sold on ammending my soil because I have established plants in my garden now and I don’t want to upset their balance by dig a giant hole to ammend soil.
Sun – Full Sun about 8 hours a day
Roses interested in – Knock Out, Livin’ Easy, Rugosa Robusta, and any other uber hardy rose.
Clay Type – Not too sure, but it is a browish red clay, it cracks when it is hot and is very slimy when wet and you can sink in it if you step on it after a rainy day.
Mulch – Texas mulch about 3″ high all around my garden.
MrRoseGarden answers:
Yes, Roses can grow well in heavy clay type soil. You can improve the moisture capability by adding ordinary sand into this area. Purpose of adding sand into clay soil is that it prevent frequent bricking of the soil and it prevents too much nitrogen escaping from those gaps. You might have to mix the soil atleast once a week thoroughly for better results.
The other idea is to put green leaves of some tree(which may not attract insect while decomposing like Azadirachta indica) into this area – this may provide you slow decomposing fertilizer and prevent bricking by bonding.
I have succesfuly grown roses in pure clay soil under extensive heat by adding sand, decomposing leaves. Actually, my dog died and we buried her near my lawn – she was very special – at that time I had only clay to cover the dig – later I planned to plant Gardenia, Rose, Jasmine – Rose & Jasmine grew up without any problem except Gardenia
So you dont have dig any part of your lawn – just add sand and you will have Roses !!!!!!!!
Please check the following links for clay soil care and plants for it.
Http://gardening.about.com/od/gardendesign/a/ClayPlants.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_16885_water-clay-soils.html
Paul asks…
The soil in my garden is pure clay and is not very deep before you reach the rubble left by the builders.?
I have made a flower bed in the front garden by digging in top soil and planting a rose bush in it but can anybody tell me what other plants would do well in clay soil or what action should I take?
MrRoseGarden answers:
I’m in Georgia – all we have is clay. Roses, Lilies (day lily & oriental), gladiolas, zinnias, butterfly bush, crepe myrtle, balloon flower, primrose, allysum, marigolds, lantana, balloon flower, dianthus, begonia, petunia, holly, fire bush, ligustrum, coreopsis, verbena, mexican bluebell, california poppy – all seem to do well. I top dress with humus each year and I do have an irrigation system – you just want to be sure not to overwater as clay doesn’t drain well. Or you could do raised beds and bring in topsoil.
Ken asks…
Planting a rose bush for the first time! What can I add to my clay dirt and top soil to help drainage around?
my rose bush? Is Hummus good for drainage? Any advice on planting my first rose bush would be greatly appreciated!! Want it to really thrive!!
We have thick clay dirt so I intend to use top soil with my dirt to plant the bush then use mulch on top. I am in zone 5/6 in the midwest. It is a bright pink double knockout bush.
MrRoseGarden answers:
Hello Mom and congratulations on your first rose – a pink double knockout will be a winner for you!
Dig a hole that is twice as wide and deep as the container. Incorporate organic material such as manure, shredded leaves or peat moss (potting soil can also be used) into the existing soil making sure that the hole is still deep enough.
Place the rose in the center of the hole making sure that the bud union (the knobby part of the stem base) is at the correct level. In zones 6-10, the bud union should be about 1″ above the soil surface. In zones 5 and under, it’s a good idea to bury the bud union 1″ or so under the soil surface.
The reference below will give more information about knockout rose pruning and care so you will enjoy your plant for years to come. Best wishes!
Mandy asks…
I dug holes on clay soil but am afraid rain will stay in the hole. please help.?
I planted roses by digging a 11/2 ft.hole and placed the rose bareroot and garden soil. I am afraid that rain water will stay in the hole and kill mg roses. How do I keep rain from staying in the hole without digging again?
MrRoseGarden answers:
Put some plastic around the base. When they need water you can remove part of the plastic and water as needed.
Mary asks…
Advice on how to plant roses? (pls see pic)?
I do not have much experince with gardening so any advice would be appreciated! We live in NJ – zone 5 I believe – and we have CLAY SOIL in our backyard and I heard roses do well in clay soil.
I was thinking of planting a rose bed at the far right of this picture where the small fence begins.
Before I plant, does anyone have any advice?
a. Would this be on ok spot to plant?
b. Should I put some sort of taller lattice screen in front of the fence so the roses have something to climb or is the fence ok?
AND if roses are hard to grow and maintain, can you suggest another flower? (this picture was taken last Spring – nothing has started to bloom yet)
MrRoseGarden answers:
Hybrid tea roses are my personal favorite,but they come with so many problems,(aphids love them,black spot japanese beetles,powdery mildew,)they are like adopting a child.I so don’t mind because I LOVE them and because Orthonex has a spray for roses that is a systemic insecticide and fungus preventer in one.When it gets to be about mid-may I start spraying my roses every 2 weeks through the season and they love me for it.I feed my roses rosetone by espoma a handful once a month starting April and finishing September.Just some expert advice from a rose nut.Now who ever told you roses like clay,doesn’t know roses.they need good drainage,which clay doesn’t provide.It looks like it is a very sunny spot,which you need 6-8 hours for proper blooming.I as a pro would have picked that exact spot!I,however,would not put a climber there,Hybrid tea ,florabunda,or damask.hybrid teas have the prettiest flowers, florabunda have the most flowers and damask have the nicest smelling flowers.When you buy your rose, ask for a complete planting mix(i love farfard).Dig the hole twice as deep and twice as wide, put stone or sand at the bottom (1 inch )so the water doesn’t sit on the rose roots,( a great way to destroy a rose is stagnant water).When trimming,after your 1st bloom,go down to the next leaves that have 5 on them.trim right above that,at an angle.VERY important,if you cut it straight,water can get into the stem and rot the stems.Never water roses overhead,always at the base.After a rain ,I give it a light tap so the water shakes off.keep under the roses free of weeds,(i see your container of preen on the porch TEEHEE)and mulch at least a foot in diameter,below the union.(The nub at the bottom of the rose)Well there you go ,its alot to take in, but once you learn the basics,you will be a pro in no time.I answer all emails if you have another question.Sometimes right away ,sometimes after i work.
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Categories: Caring For Roses FAQ Tags: Asters, Clay Soil, Clay Type, Fertilizer, Gardenia, Giant Hole, Green Leaves, Jasmine, Knock Out, Mulch, Peonies, Plant Failures, Plant Success, Planting Roses, Rainy Day, Red Clay, Robusta, Rugosa, Soil Ph, Texas Sage
Your Questions About Care For Roses In Pots
Carol asks…
I would like to have info on how to care for some miniature roses inside. They came in tiny pots in oasis.?
Should I move them to a larger container? If so what should I plant them in? In terms of soil.
MrRoseGarden answers:
If they came in pots of oasis then they are most likely fresh cut roses. You really can’t move them to a larger container or repot because they are not plants. You can plant fresh cut roses but this is mainly done with roses from the garden.
Steven asks…
How should I care for a potted rose?
I have a rose bush potted in a 16″ diameter plastic pot (with ample drainage) on my elevated deck so the deer can’t eat it. How do I keep it healthiest? Will it eventually become root bound? What’s the best way to care for a potted rose?
I live in Washington State. We had a deep freeze in December and I brought the rose inside for that. It’s been potted for two years now.
MrRoseGarden answers:
Http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkw6jNFJLua8ATtBXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzMzc3bzY4BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA3NrMQR2dGlkA0Y4MjRfMTI2/SIG=11f7k7vr1/EXP=1263765027/**http%3a//www.rosecare.com/faq
Sharon asks…
How do I care for potted rose plants?
Hello, I received three potted rose plants (the plants are about 18 inches tall, in about 5 inch pots) as a birthday gift. I only have a balcony and do a lot of growing of herbs like basil and mint, but I haven’t tried flowers yet. What do I need to know to keep the roses healthy, such as fertilizer, re-potting (and when), pruning, watering, etc.? I get good sunlight, with eastern and south-eastern exposure. Will these roses live in pots? Thank you so much for your help!
Good points, everyone –
I live in Los Angeles and the weather has been sunny and in the 70s or higher (we are lucky out here!). I usually don’t bring any plants inside during winter unless it is supposed to get to freezing or close (which didn’t happen this year).
As for what type of roses–unfortunately I don’t know! They were a gift from my someone who doesn’t know that much about plants, and they don’t have any tags or information on them. I could call the store though! They have pretty small to medium blossoms and pretty small leaves–that doesn’t tell you much I’m sure but that’s about all I got! 
MrRoseGarden answers:
It would help if you mentioned where you lived, so we know the climate….Yes, you can grow roses in pots.Currently I have a rose bush growing in a west facing window in my house If yours are in 5″ pots only, you need to repot them asap. I would suggest going up to a 12″ pot to start. Get some good potting soil, Miracle Grow brand(Wal Mart) if you have access to a greenhouse grower, go there and buy some from the grower. Buy the best, it is worth it. The roses will do best if they get full sun as much of the day as possible. Treat them like a house plant for the most part, watering and fertilizing occasionally. I live in Minnesota, so I will be putting my rose outside once it warms up for the summer. As far as pruning, you can cut them back as you feel necessary. I wait until after the flower is spent, and then cut back about 10-12″ of the flowering stem. New shoots them come out from the cut.
Michael asks…
Watering roses in large pots.?
Just bought 2 rose bushes about 18″ high. put them into large pots. How much water should you give them and how often. They do have several bulbs ready to open. I am new at caring for roses.
MrRoseGarden answers:
You’ve received some good information here. I have to disagree with “renpen” though. I used to maintain interior plants for very large corporate accounts. We were not allowed to use the water meters. During a workshop, we experimented with these meters. Most of us who dropped the meter into a watering bucket (full of water) the meter read “dry”. These things measure the salt or something in the soil. Not very reliable. There is nothing more reliable than sticking your fingers deep into the soil and “feel” how much water your rose needs. They will tell you. It all depends on the conditions they are in.
Good Luck! I wish my roses were ready to bloom now. Not for a few more months for me!
Laura asks…
How should I care for a patio rose this winter?
I’ve just bought a potted patio rose in memory of my Nan but am now unsure of how I should care for it this winter.
Do I need to cover it to protect it from the frost?
Or will it be fine to just leave it…?
Would really appreciate some help!
Thanks
I live in Cambridge, England
MrRoseGarden answers:
It depends where you live and what the freezing zone is like. Here in zone 7. I just leave my roses alone and they are always fine when spring rolls around.
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Categories: Caring For Roses FAQ Tags: Balcony, Basil, Birthday Gift, Care For Roses, Cut Roses, Deep Freeze, Drainage, Eastern Exposure, Fertilizer, Fresh Roses, Inch Pots, Miniature Roses, Oasis, Plastic Pot, rose bush, Rose Plants, Rosecare, Tiny Pots, Type Of Roses, Washington State
