Roses Tips

Transplanting Roses – Tips For Success

When is the best time to transplant roses? This is one of the most common questions asked by novice gardeners and one of the most popular topics discussed by dedicated Rosarians. There are no right or wrong answers and any experience gardener will have his or her own rules regarding this based on experience. There are general guidelines offering good advice for novices to follow, which can give successful results. However, it is a good idea to keep a record of the dates when you transplant your roses and observe their progress. This will give you a clear indication of which is the best time for you, to transplant your roses given the type of climate you live in.

For generally guidance, the best time to transplant roses is during a time when they are dormant. In northern climates this period falls at the end of the winter season. In a warmer climate transplanting can take place in late autumn or winter

Exposed roots can be transplanted any time as long as the temperature is above freezing level. Rose transplants will not survive if they are subjected to 10 degrees below 0 F. Container grown roses can be transplanted at any time of year but Spring is best, this will give the roots chance to spread and strengthen themselves before the winter sets in.

It is possible, although it goes against the general rule, for you to transplant roses before they become dormant. It isn’t always necessary to wait, if you don’t want to, you can transplant at any time during the growing season even during the height of summer.

If you cannot wait until the growing season to transplant your roses then you will need to put some safety measures into place to ensure your roses survive the ordeal. Before you transplant during the growing season, please follow these steps.

1) On the day before you plan to transplant your roses, give them plenty of water, making sure the roots are thoroughly wet; this will protect the roots and help them survive

2) Choose and prepare the ground before hand, making sure the area is in a sunny position. The soil needs to be enriched and nourished with plenty of peat and organic fertilizer.

3) Transplant your roses as soon as you take them from the ground. It is vital that the roots are not subjected to sunlight and dry air. If this isn’t possible, keep the roses in a cool dark place, never expose to sunlight or heat, as this will damage your roses irreparably.

4) When you have successfully transplanted your roses you must water them thoroughly. Roses need constant watering during the growing season especially if they are adapting to new ground. Never let the soil get too dry, especially in the height of Summer.

5) There is no need to add any further fertilizer until you see new growth. If you add fertilizer too soon, before the roots have settled, you risk damaging them. The fertilizer may be too strong for the roots at this time. Remember, your roses have just experienced a traumatic disturbance during transplantation.

If your roses are not at their best and are beginning to wilt do not replant them during the growing season, otherwise you risk damaging them further, and they will not survive.

Roses are one of the most beautiful and aromatic plants that you could have in your garden. To obtain the maximum from your roses make sure you choose their location carefully. A well-positioned rose, which receives at least six hours sunshine everyday, plenty of air circulation, is in a reasonable quality soil which is not too waterlogged can produce the most beautiful flowers. As long as they are protected from freezing temperatures, have plenty of space for root growth and not overshadowed by other plants they will continue to grow year after year and give you the most amazing results and beautiful roses.

Garden Starting

A type of garden structure, a garden arch helps turn a mundane garden into a masterpiece. It is one of the ways a homeowner-gardener expresses a belief that their living environment includes the sum total of their property—not just the four walls of the house. It says that beauty and form are important to the people who live here. By adding shape, texture and variety to your home landscape design, a garden arch provides practicality, an acknowledgement of time’s passage, a visual metaphor, mood and whimsy.

A Garden Arch: Placement and Shapes

Sometimes used interchangeably with the term “garden arbors,” outdoor arches are classic architectural shapes that are often used near the doorway to a garden or home. When placed in a series, they mark a special spot, as when used to cover the pathway to a garden gazebo. If you have a flat yard, they can create vertical dimensions in your landscape. When paired with a gate, they simply say, “Come in—welcome.” You can include them in your patio design or deck design, let one be the entrance to an outdoor room, or use one as a focal point in a small garden design. Whether you designate them as pure decoration or put them to work, arches can support vegetables, fruits, vines or climbing roses.

Outdoor arches come in many shapes. A list would include:

• Traditional French shape. Monet’s gardens in Giverny, France have made this shape famous for outdoor arches. There, the central alley is covered by climbing roses supported by iron arches. These arches have a flat profile, making them work well for wider spans.

• Roman arches. These arches are larger in both height and width and, when used in a row or series, almost give the appearance of a loggia or pergola. When covered with flowering vines, you can create a softscape made of green plant material, interesting texture, color and fragrance. Consider combining Roman arches with an outdoor water fountain or outdoor sculpture.

• Gothic style. Festooned with hoops, finials, swirls and twirls, this style fits perfectly in an English garden design.

• Fruit tree arches. Sturdy and practical, these arches can be used with small fruit trees and bushes. For instance, a fruit tree can be planted on either side of the arch and trained to meet at the top.

A Garden Arch: Materials

Many decisions will go into your material selection—style, hardiness and budget. You will also want to consider your other hardscape selections and make sure all looks are well-coordinated. Here are some of your options:

• Galvanized steel arches. Unmatched in strength and longevity.

• Copper arches. Providing exceptional beauty and durability. Works well in a Japanese garden design.

• Wood arches. Eco-friendly wood makes stunning outdoor arches in simple and complex shapes.

• Wrought iron arches. A classic choice.

• Vinyl arches. They have the look of painted wood, but will not warp, crack or rot. They look good and, with proper construction, will last a long time.

Herb Garden

3 Tips For A Successful Container Herb Garden

If you are like me, I absolutely love the smell of fresh herbs. However, buying fresh herbs at the grocery store would often make my wallet cry, so I would pass them up. Often times I didn't buy enough or they would spoil before I used them all. So like me, Container Herb Gardening can give you an abundant, readily available supply of fresh herbs. It doesn't matter if your living quarters are small because you can put the containers inside in the kitchen within reach. Even next to the coffee pot.Growing herbs in containers is the perfect gift for gardening friends, as well as for cooking. Take into account these 3 tips for the successful container herb garden, for some flavorful and or smelly results.

Tip #1. Select the herbs you want to grow. Choose from basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, mints and dill. All are easy to grow in containers, require very little maintenance, and are adaptable for a wide variety of dishes. Plants such as lavender and yarrow spread quickly and can take up all your space, so these are ideal for container herb gardening in small batches.

You will want to grow herbs that you will actually cook with. Because your fresh herbs are full of flavor and not diluted, you only need to use half the amount of fresh herbs as store bought herbs in recipes. In fact, when substituting dried herbs for fresh herbs, one tablespoon of fresh herbs equals about one teaspoon of dried herbs. You might even consider growing a container full of organically grown herbs. It's safer for you and less expensive because you aren't using pesticides. Organic pest control is a comprehensive approach instead of a chemical approach.

Tip #2. Seeds or budding plantings' are viable options. Growing herbs in a small garden is quite affordable especially if you start from seeds. Don't skimp on seeds of good quality, go ahead and spend a little more. Remember seeds can spoil just like other natural food products. I typically don't get my seeds from plants, but it's your choice. In doing that, you just need to understand how to properly dry out and store the seeds. Remember to check the dates on the package, to ensure your seeds are fresh.

If you are using plants to start your container garden, plant the plants at the same height. If you plant them too shallow, some hair roots may be exposed. If you plant them too deep, they may choke or suffocate due the all the soil overhead. Also, check to see if your plants have become root bound. If roots start coming out of the drainage holes, replant them in a larger container. Roots have feelings too. Have you ever worn a pair of pants and have gotten a wedge. Ouch. !

Tip #3. Where are you placing the containers (pots, etc.)? Mother Nature will not provide the right amount of water and sunshine. Container herb gardening provides the mobility necessary to protect your herbs from bad weather and seasonal conditions, as well as hungry animals and insects. Inside, you can place your containers in the right location for the herbs they contain. Most herb plants require similar growing conditions: a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day. Plants may need full sun, partial sun or partial shade. For example, parsley and thyme like to be in a sunny spot. Plants will only receive what you give them; therefore, you will be able to regulate the pH, nutrients, nutrient strength, water amount, and light amount. This makes it important that you research the plants you will be growing so you know what they need to survive.

Now that your vision has been expanded a little, you can see that the possibility of creating that special herb container garden that can happen now. You will be able to incorporate all of your 5 senses; touch, taste, smell, feel. What you will hear is everyone applauding the wonderful flavor or smell you create. Using these 3 tips for a successful container herb garden will have you well on your way to herb heaven.

Building Greenhouse

Tips For Building A Great Greenhouse

Here are some tips to help you build a great greenhouse:

To build a workable greenhouse, you will need a construction plan. Then you can consider ways and means. There are several ways to go about building.

You can draw up a contract with a manufacturer of greenhouses to supply all the materials, all the heating and cooling equipment, and the masonry. You can even get him to find you a builder to erect the structure, and also a plumber for the water and heating installations.

Or you can purchase the material you need (new or used), and have some local labor come in and build your greenhouse. Or you can do it yourself, perhaps with some help from your family.

If you prefer the prefabricated units, you can erect a greenhouse with little or no extra help. You can glaze it with regulation glass panes, Fiberglas, or plastic. Ready and able to supply all this are innumerable firms. As you plan your greenhouse, there are further decisions you will have to make.

Where to Place Your Greenhouse

You must decide upon a site, and this involves several considerations. You want a location where you can work conveniently and where there is maximum sunlight. Even though you may plan to start with only shade-loving plants, you will probably find that other kinds are profitable, too, and so eventually you will want to be able to grow light-loving plants. You can always apply shading to make a house darker, but you can't make the sun come around to a greenhouse that has been unwisely located in a shaded place.

Fluorescent and incandescent lighting can be used to raise light intensities in winter and on dark days, and this is a very practical means of utilizing small problem or special-purpose areas (as discussed later).

But you certainly don't want artificial lighting to be your primary light source—not while sunlight is free!

Therefore, you want a location with a south-eastern or southern exposure, and the land should be well-drained. Then, for the sake of customers, you need a location which is easily found, and where parking will be easy.

If your eventual aim is expansion—that is, having a series of greenhouses—plan that series from the very start. Make your first house fit in—on paper—with those you will build later, so as to form a complete unit. Many greenhouse operations start on a small scale but soon need to expand, so select an adequate site at the start.

What Type of Greenhouse?

There is a type of greenhouse to meet every preference, every gardening need, every budget. I have seen sun porches and chicken houses converted into greenhouses; greenhouses built as second-story units over garages; free-standing or detached greenhouses; step-into pit houses, and many kinds of attached-to-dwelling ones. There are heated, partially heated, and unheated greenhouses, each successfully designed to suit someone's gardening-for-profit plan.

Greenhouse designs are numerous but types fall into these main divisions: span, lean-to, uneven or partial span, and the pit house, which may be any of these types but with a greater portion of the walls below ground level. If you have plenty of room—real acreage or a large lot—the free-standing span house may be best for you. This type, if properly placed, receives maximum sunlight throughout the day in every season.

A lean-to, as the name suggests, is erected against the side of another building. The partial span or uneven type has a greater distance from eaves to gable on one side of the house than on the other. In the north, the low winter sun comes directly through such a roof for maximum light. And in the summer, when the sun is high, this greenhouse draws light reflection from both sides.

The cost of pit-house construction is low. Many growers use pit houses only during early spring and into fall. They are left idle during the coldest months of the year to avoid a heating bill. Other growers operate a pit house economically by having it dug off the basement and served by the household heating system. This arrangement affords ample space for potting, household tools, and other necessary equipment.

Before you do anything—even before you start dreaming about building a greenhouse—check with your city engineer or building inspector. It is important to know what the building regulations are as to greenhouse placement and construction. In some residential areas, construction of any kind of commercial structure is prohibited. Find out everything about all relevant laws—and don't consider yourself "too smart" to need a lawyer.