Hello dear rose friends … well, the race is on – which roses are going to be the first to flower in your garden? Here at cold Clonbinane where we have had two frosts this past week, the old-fashioned roses are winning … Rugosa Scabrosa, Stanwell Perpetual, Mrs. Fred Danks and Nancy Hayward with the modern rose winner, Gold Bunny doing as expected … the first to flower in most years!
How exciting and how beautiful and how very lucky we are that we all love roses – I think we’re in for a stunning flowering season, the rose buds are so pumped full of deep soaking rain … sorry to our far north friends who are experiencing drought!!!
Because of all the humidity, it is imperative that you continue the rose spray-maintenance program – people who are continuing with this program on a fortnightly basis are enjoying their roses … no black-spot, no aphids!
Please don’t wait until problems occur – to 10 litres of water add:
¼ cup Eco-Rose/Fungicide (powder should be dissolved in water first)
¼ cup liquid seaweed
¼ cup Eco-oil
If the aphids have beat you to the punch and your roses are covered in them, you need to add 20ml of Eco-Neem to the above recipe for quicker, effective control.
GRAHAM’S INPUT … What about Spring? It is a time for massive growth on all plants .. I MEAN MASSIVE! Go for a drive and see the GREEN – it is the most relaxing colour of all of Mother Nature’s colours.
Did you know that going for a drive in your car is the most popular of all recreational activities that Australians do? Not the footy or sports viewing on TV or going to the theatre …
FEED THE SOIL … especially at this time because of the massive growth surge – we use and recommend Complete Organic Fertilizer – clean to distribute, no smell and loaded with a balance of nutrients suitable for all plants except Natives! Liquid seaweed is a tonic which contains over 70 minerals …
- Great for seedlings and newly planted roses
- Used fortnightly on your roses there will be 30% more flowers than normal!
- Nourishes the worms and soil microbes
Just mix ¼ cup liquid seaweed to a watering can and pour over all the plants … as Diana says: JUST DO IT!
Lastly, question: What do you call a fairy that hasn’t taken a bath? Answer: Stinker Bell
Love your garden … Gra
MOON PLANTING AND BEST GARDENING DAYS … If you’ve spent the last couple of days weeding, you’re totally in sync with the moon and the weeds will have pulled up very easily. Continue weeding and get your hair cut until 1.00pm on the 4th October.
Don’t bother sowing anything on 5th October.
Best sowing/planting days: all day on 6th, 7th and 8th; all day on 11th.
No sowing on 12th October
For the sceptics, plant some seeds on 5th and 12th October but please, also plant some seeds on the recommended days and you be the judge of which plants perform and produce the best and which plants require less management for pests and disease. Please have a go at this and if there is enough interest in this gardening method, I will guide you through October in next week’s issue of the Rose Rambler.
Keep us posted through www.allaboutroses.com.au or simply email your thoughts to info@rosesalesonline.com.au – we enjoy your feedback.
IN CLOSING … “Until you try, you don’t know what you can’t do.” Have a go at something new and adventurous in your garden this week – I bought some packs of flower seeds the other day and randomly threw them in around the rocks near the back door … the excitement and anticipation is a wonderful experience – must go now and put the snail bait out too! Have a really lovely week …
Diana & Graham Sargeant at Clonbinane