QUESTION ABOUT CLIMBING ROSES …

My response which is relative to those who grow and love climbing roses:

Thank you Bernadette … you can trim finished flowers from ALL roses and they will re-grow and re-flower more quickly!

You’re doing absolutely NOTHING wrong!  Hope this is helpful … cheers – Diana

Whilst in Adelaide recently, we had the pleasure of visiting Melanie & Kelvin (President, World Federation of Rose Societies) Trimper’s garden – this is Melanie’s photo of 6 x JEANNE LA JOIE plants espaliered on 6 metres of wall  – breathtaking!!!

GRA’S GARBLE …

Q.  When is a car not a car?  A.  When it turns into a parking lot!

CLIMBING ROSES FOR IMPACT

You might only have a tidy garden space but still want to grow roses … grow CLIMBING ROSES on walls, in tubs and up posts!  These are two of my favourite climbing roses:

A SOLUTION TO THRIPS …

Diana’s response:  I’m an ‘old timer’ Mum … I used to LOVE hanging nappies out on the washing line and would get peeved when the northerly winds brought in thrips – took me a while to work out what went ‘wrong’ with my beautiful white wash!!!  Never thought to suggest to rose gardeners that they should span white cloth to attract thrips to the white cloth rather than the roses … thanks for sharing!  Cheers – Diana

Q.  What do you call an insect on the moon?  A.  A luna-tick

IS THIS HAPPENING ON ANY ROSE IN YOUR GARDEN?

Take a look at the plant label which reads:

oh, oh, it’s producing CRIMSON ROSES which are DR. HUEY UNDERSTOCK which may, if left to grow, take over the whole rose – NEVER prune this growth at ground level!!!  Here’s what you MUST DO if you see understock growing on any roses in your garden – quoted from my book, ALL ABOUT ROSES (always handy to have a copy of my book when things don’t quite go as you anticipate!) …

The story goes on in further detail but you MUST remove those suckers as soon as you see them or they will in fact grow very rapidly and potentially take-over and the budded rose variety will lose vigour and die!

We are both at OAKS DAY events today – Graham at Seymour entertaining the ladies who are raising funds for LIONS CLUB and CANCER COUNCIL so his roses will be wrapped in cream/pink (no, he won’t be dressed in a skirt with a fascinator – he has no hair to keep one in place!!!).  I’m over at Yea where table decorations are wrapped in red/blue as funds raised will go to support their local AMBULANCE.

GRA’S GARBLE …

Q.  Where do tadpoles change into frogs?  A.  In the croak-room! 

Here’s a pic of the frogs which LOVE my ‘weed tea’ … I would make the tea just to enjoy seeing frogs when I open the lid to use the tea … beautiful critters which we should all encourage in our gardens …

 

Every single person I meet is saying how sensational the roses are – BEST YEAR EVER they say but you know what?  They say it every single year because roses are SIMPLY SCENTSATIONAL at this time of year and we should all take time out, quiet, slowly, revel, enjoy and inhale their magnificent fragrance.

This is SCENTIMENTAL …
A magnificent shrub rose which produces masses of highly fragrant roses
on a superbly healthy rounded shrub

and HEAVEN SCENT …

Two most highly fragrant, easy-care roses which are guaranteed to delight you!

WHAT CRITTER MIGHT BE EATING YOUR ROSES? …

Here’s Sallie’s picture asking what?

Hi Sallie .. this is NOT a disease … this is SOMETHING eating the underside of the leaf … I think on one of the leaves I can see where the little caterpillar is tucked in … you go take a closer look – maybe with a torch tonight and you’ll find the little critter!  Suggest you might use ECO-OIL to hinder the breeding of whatever insect it is you have … might also be earwigs!  Beer in little shallow bowls will do the trick on them – do you get our Rose Rambler Newsletter?  Subscribe and lots of answers to queries are there or www.allaboutroses.com.au is a good source of information … cheers, Diana

After checking the roses, here’s Sallie’s response:

So glad I’m right … definitely not dead!  Aphids will never do this type of damage to leaves as they are on the flower buds … ladybirds and other insects will take care of aphids!

There have been a lot of phone calls and inquiries about what is damaging the outer petals – making them all brown, looking yukky and then the buds not opening … it’s THRIP and there is very little any of us can do to avoid their onslaught!  We suggest removing all affected buds as quickly as possible so that the rose can invest energy into new blooms for Christmas time!  Please don’t spray harsh chemicals around – it won’t help but will reduce predator insects who abound in an ecologically friendly garden.

Make your place a safe haven for all the beautiful insects/birds/frogs – as well as YOU / YOURS / OTHER HUMANS!!!

LOTS OF EVENTS …

This Saturday Graham is conducting COMPOSTING SEMINAR here at the Rose Farm and up at the Clonbinane Community Hall – it’s not too late to book for this FREE event organised in conjunction with Mitchell Shire Council – call 5787 1123 NOW!

On Sunday morning you should tune your radio to 3CR GARDEN SHOW where Graham will be on the talk-back panel – do give him a call – find 3CR at 855 on the am dial (close to 774 ABC) … the BEST GARDENING RADIO TALK-BACK!

There are the open gardens at Yea, the Victorian Rose Society Rose Show at Mount Waverley (see details in previous Rose Ramblers); all the while, I’ll be here at the Rose Farm to assist you when you drop in!

The National Rose Trial Garden Annual
Awards Presentation Dinner

We have experienced the most amazing few days – Graham was overwhelmed and near speechless (believe me, that’s a VERY rare experience!!!).  I feel so proud that his dedication, commitment and love of roses has produced such a stunning Award Winning Beauty and he has been recognised for his passion!

To witness his delight when receiving each Award was sensational  – we stand here with Kelvin Trimper, President, World Federation of Rose Societies for Graham’s award presentation:

We spent hours trawling through the International Rose Trial Garden of Australia in the Adelaide Botanical Gardens and are excited to report that there are some absolutely magnificent roses being trialed there; if they perform well in the very hot Adelaide conditions, without any pampering – no chemical spray (good!!!), just regular fertilizer regime, water and mulch as you would grow them in your own garden, they will be released in the next few years and we have lots of great roses to look forward to!

We met with our growers, peers in our industry and have had a most relaxing, totally enjoyable time in Adelaide.  Our own roses will be at their absolute BEST from this weekend onwards so you MUST put a visit to SILKIES ROSE FARM, CLONBINANE on your list of ‘things to do’ …

GRA’S GARBLE …

Q.  Why can’t a ladybird ever hide?  A.  Because it is always spotted! 

You’ll be thinking about which horse might be worth backing in the Melbourne Cup but I would highly recommend visiting FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE just to be up close and personal with the magnificent rose gardens there!  If you get a chance, treat yourself to a spectacular day at the races during these weeks of horse racing and I hope you back a winner!

Q.  Why couldn’t the pony talk?  A.  ‘cause he was a little horse.

Grasses are the essence of Nature! Researchers in Sydney found endorphins given off by lawn mowing keep us feeling good about ourselves!  Aaah, the smell of a freshly cut lawn – you know the smell and feeling – no research necessary because we already know how good it feels and looks!!!

There’s more to it though – grasses are essential because, when they break-down in pastures and gardens, their dry matter and minerals wash into waterways and then into the ocean which then turns into a food source for fish.  Our Oceans are the richest source of nutrients on our planet!  Hence, the seaweed solution we use on our plants, which comes from the Ocean, is vital for balanced plant nutrition and remember, regular applications of seaweed solution will afford your roses up to 5 degrees heat tolerance so liberally pour over the foliage of roses at least monthly to ensure bushes retain lots of healthy foliage!!!

ROSE FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE – there is no greater pleasure than cutting a bucket full of rose blooms to fill vases in your home!  Here are some rules which you MUST stick to which will ensure longevity of the roses you cut for a vase:

• Cut the roses early in the day (when possible) so they are well hydrated and cool;
• Take a bucket of cool, clean water to the garden with you;
• Trim the stems as long as possible and dunk them immediately into the bucket;
• Leave the bucket in the coolest room of your home for a few hours;
• Use only very clean vases to which you can add flower-preservative, if you prefer;
• Remove all the leaves which are below vase water level;
• Freshen water every couple of days – trim stems each time.

Diana devoted a chapter in her book ALL ABOUT ROSES to CUTTING ROSES FOR A VASE – there is an extensive lot of special hints and tips which are useful if you love to have vases of roses in your home during the flowering season … enjoy the beauty of your garden, inside too!

Here is a pic of GRA’S BLUE which was picked on Sunday, conditioned as per above instructions, wrapped in wet tissue and sealed in a plastic bag, placed in luggage for our Monday flight to Adelaide, put back in clean water on arrival at our motel in Adelaide, presented for display on Tuesday night for the Awards Ceremony.

Also don’t forget to tune in to
ABC RADIO 774 at 10.30am (AEST)
this coming Sunday 1st November

Diana will be in the studio on Sunday morning doing a radio segment so don’t miss out!

There are a lot of open gardens and events which we have been invited to share with you:

ALL ROSES HAVE A FRAGRANCE …

Or do they?  Here’s an email from Darren …

My response:  Hi Darren … maybe it’s YOU ????  Could it be the heat ????  Take a bloom, lay it in the palm of both hands – your body heat will warm it – then take a really clear, long sniff.  REINE DES VIOLETTES

is most definitely a fragrant rose!  There are times when I have detected absolutely NO FRAGRANCE in THE CHILDREN’S ROSE which would be considered one of the most highly fragrant roses in the nursery … it’s all about time of day and where your olfactory senses are at … please let me know how you experience this … cheers, Diana

After emailing that his neighbour come in to check for fragrance, no, she couldn’t smell anything either, the following day I received this email:

GRA’S GARBLE …

Let’s start with something funny because I’m about to get serious … Q.  What sort of hat does a spy wear?  A.  A peek cap! 

It is reported that Australian’s dump 40% of their food waste in garbage bins which then ends up in landfill sites.  If you want to take positive action to stop this happening at your home, here’s a really great idea which I have been trialling for several months since being shown how to by Helmut at Wandong –

Take 1 metre (approx.) off-cut lengths of 100-200mm (or greater if you can find it) stormwater pipe, either plastic/terracotta/concrete and push them very firmly into a garden bed – particularly important if you have a large-breed dog who could push the pipe out of the ground – compost is LETHAL for your pets!!!

The pipes should be located very close to the kitchen.  If you can find a ‘lid’ that would be good – just to keep vermin/birds/pets out.  Each time food scraps are added to the pipe, have a bale of straw/milled lucerne/shredded paper close to lightly cover them – this will add air which is a very important component in good compost-making!

You shouldn’t need to water into the pipes since most food scraps contain lots of moisture but occasionally, if you’re out with a watering-can of seaweed solution, slosh it into the pipe for added nutrient/break down capacity.

Worms will very quickly work out what you’re doing and take up residence in your ‘pipe-house’!  Keep a check on what’s going on by lifting the lid once the pipe is filled up.  Leave it for about 12 weeks then raise the pipe and harvest the humus/compost layer to place around newly planted seedlings, roses, planting holes for all plants.

ALWAYS cover the fresh compost with straw mulch – exposed to the sun, the precious microbes in the compost might die!

An average household will need to have four or five compost pipes to adequately accommodate kitchen scraps.  For a really funky look, get the kids to paint them in all different colours, let them test their graffiti skills at home and add a supremely environmentally-friendly composting system to your garden!

Helmut died at a grand age recently; as a tribute to his life of practicing and sharing, I feel compelled to share his infinite knowledge of ‘natural gardening’ and I hope that you will use this simple, easy, economical and sustainable way of caring for our environment by reducing land-fill waste and composting your food scraps – I am because it does work!

I am doing a COMPOSTING WORKSHOP for Mitchell Shire on SATURDAY, 7th NOVEMBER starting here at the Rose Farm at 10.00am to demonstrate all my composting methods – then we’ll go to the CLONBINANE COMMUNITY HALL (just up the road) to build compost heaps for the Community Garden there.

Bookings are essential – call us on 5787 1123 or contact Council’s Waste Education Officer, Anne McLean:  5734 6200 or email wastemanagement@mitchellshire.vic.gov.au

Just so I know you’ve read all my ‘garble’ and you’re waiting for the second joke, here it is:

Q.  What has four legs and doesn’t walk?  A.  A table – of course! 

Enjoy building your new ‘pipe-houses’ which are sure to be a success during the warm months ahead … Gra

 

ROSE RAMBLER … 15.10.2015 …

Hello dear rose friends –thank you so much to those who visited our site at the Garden Festival this past weekend – I was happy to ‘eye-ball’ some familiar faces in the audience at my presentations – sincere thanks for your support and welcome to all our new subscribers!  This was our site:

When you visit us at STATE ROSE AND GARDEN SHOW at WERRIBEE on Saturday, 14th and Sunday, 15th November – we have an outdoor display with lots of FLOWERING roses and you will enjoy the expert advice from TWO Consulting Rosarians – myself and our son Eric will be there all weekend so do put these dates in your diary – the State Rose Gardens will be in full bloom!

It’s a FREE event (please do give a gold coin donation at the gate because these gardens are managed by a host of volunteers!) and there are lots of displays from nurseries and garden suppliers, delicious food and coffee stalls.  More in later R/R editions …just keep the dates free … this is our PREMIER EVENT OF THE YEAR … to be right there in the most spectacular, world renowned State Rose Gardens – you MUST BE THERE TOO!

INFORMATION SHARING …

It’s from emails I receive and respond to that you will learn lots about those issues we ALL have with rose gardening so read on, weeds first:

ANYTHING has to be better than using lethal chemicals which contain glyphosate (Roundup) in a rose garden and our environment!

My response:  “Yes, we’ve got a plethora of aphids too but in the same breath, there are masses of ladybirds (every time I look they’re mating!!!)

and the little birds are keeping on top of eating them too!  You’re NOT diluting efficacy of eco-oil by adding seaweed!  It’s strengthening the cell wall of rose foliage!!!!

I ask the same question as you … why lots of aphids on some roses and not others???  Is it the location?  More confined, easier for aphids to access, less wind, some varieties have more lush foliage in the early spring flush???  All possibilities/probabilities and MOTHER NATURE takes over and does HER job which is one of the lovely challenges of gardening … keep looking out for ladybirds and as long as you’ve got lots of little wrens, sparrows and other birds in the garden, they’ll surely be feasting on the aphids – just like this ladybird – she’ll have them all cleaned up by the end of today!

 

Your horse poo … I will share it around that you have lots available for collection – lovely stuff and just down the road from Silkies Rose Farm so customers might bring their trailer and load up while they’re here!  Thank you … Diana

My response:  Hello David … do you think the rose you purchased was good quality?  Also, if the rose was only planted this winter, it’s not possible to have the ‘soil sickness’ that is often referred to when planting into the same location where a rose has been growing for many years – the dead rose would only have been there a short time I’m assuming???

I suggest you turn the soil well, add seaweed solution weekly until you purchase a new pl
ant for that location – buy a lovely healthy specimen and I think you’ll be fine!  I hope this is helpful.  Cheers – Diana

The story doesn’t end there … Andrea sent a follow up which reads:  “I have just re-done the beer for tonight!! Little alcoholics!  P.S. there is one unhappy camper in the story of the earwigs and that’s my husband!  He couldn’t understand why his beer supply was diminishing so quickly!  Yes the little earwigs had premium Boags! He was most upset to think I had given them the best!  Needless to say we are off to Aldi to get some less premium beer for the darling earwigs!  Andrea”

GRA’S GARBLE …

Just a joke this week since I’ve been busy holding the fort while Diana has been off gallivanting at the Garden Expo!

Knock, Knock.  Who’s there?  Mice.  Mice who?  Mice to meet you! 

Be very vigilant with filling mice bait stations OUTSIDE of your home and definitely OUTSIDE the chook enclosure!  Never put mice bait stations INSIDE your home because you will then have issues with rotting carcasses in walls/under the house/in the ceiling!!!  Please check that vermin haven’t dragged bait out of the bait station because mice bait is lethal stuff if your pets get to eat it!!!

Q.  Why do gorillas have big fingers?  A.  Because they have big nostrils! 

ROSE RAMBLER 8.10.2015 …

Hello dear rose friends as the frenzy builds for a spectacular Horticultural & Gardening Festival event at the Melbourne Showgrounds starting tomorrow, Friday 9^th until Sunday 11th … we’re ‘bumped in’ with our safety vests on, set up our presentation and would love to see you visit our display and hear Diana speak on MAIN STAGE – Friday from 1.30pm – 2.10pm and again in the DEMONSTRATION AREA with friends from OCP on Sunday 1.30pm – 2.10pm where we’ll show you how easy it is to prepare and spray the organic rose management program to ensure you grow the most beautifully healthy, abundantly free-flowering roses in your garden!

Also come visit Diana at Stand D30 at the festival this Friday, Saturday & Sunday, where she will happily sign a copy of her book ALL ABOUT ROSES and show you how giftroses.com.au really works. See you there!

GREETING AND MEETING CUSTOMERS …

There is no greater delight than personally meeting our ‘online’ customers – very recently we have had customers from NSW and QLD visiting Victoria and SILKIES ROSE FARM was on their agenda whilst driving down the HUME FREEWAY.  Since we are within 500 metres of the CLONBINANE interchange we would love to see YOU when you’re down our way!

 

WHEN ROSES JUST DON’T SEEM TO HAVE THE ‘RIGHT’ GROWTH …

Pic of Dublin bay with affected foliage:

MY RESPONSE … Ok, there are a few roses in the nursery pots doing the same thing???  Has happened before and our agronomist recommended using YATES TRACE ELEMENTS … fixed the problem in no time – if you can get hold of a pack of ROCK DUST that would be good for them too … fortnightly applications of seaweed solution will help the TRACE ELEMENTS do the job.  You might check with the source of compost what EXACTLY they have in the product????  A bit spooky that roses you DIDN’T put the compost on are doing fine!  You must be asking the question yourself???

They’ll come right in no time, I’m sure – please keep us posted.  Hope this is helpful … cheers, Diana

WEEDS … PESKY THEY MIGHT BE but NEVER use GLYPHOSATE (ROUNDUP/ZERO) ANYWHERE NEAR YOUR ROSE GARDEN!!!  

   

GRA’S GARBLE …

ROSE RAMBLER 1.10.2015

Hello dear rose friends – a pinch and punch for another whole new month – Happy Birthday to my beautiful little sister Sandy today – since she’s not settled in her new home yet, I may not send her a GIFT ROSE  but if I did, I would have sent MANY HAPPY RETURNS

but I might send her either one because most roses can be grown in a large tub and she can take the rose with her when she creates a garden at her new home!  If you have an event which offers you an opportunity to send a gorgeous, long-lasting rose bush, take a look at giftroses.com.au for a lovely selection of rose varieties to inspire you.

All roses will grow to their maximum size when planted in the soil but when grown in planters, their size will be naturally limited by the size of the pot but they are ‘transportable’ and very versatile as they can be moved around the deck, even inside to shaded areas for an event and when they’ve done their job in a pot, plant them into their final resting place in your garden.

If you have no option but to plant roses into tubs, consider removing the base of the tub (or poking very large holes into it) so that the roots can move right down into the soil below a paved area or whatever surface they’re placed on – up in the nursery we have arches with climbers and clematis so we’ve removed the base of the tub to allow the roots access to soil and moisture – the growth has been amazing since we did this!

GRA’S GARBLE …

It’s time to get your irrigation system in order – check all drippers/sprays and clear them of insects, etc. because it’s time to start watering your garden – we use ‘shrubblers’ where the water output can be regulated according to different plants requirements

Q. What has a sweet taste and flies?   A.  A lollipop left out in the garden. 

Water availability at root level, especially now, determines the stem length and number of flowers throughout the coming months.  On rose bushes, the miracle of plant growth is amazing at this time of year and one weekly soaking of 20 litres per plant during October will ensure solid root development resulting in prolific flowering and strong healthy bushes which will withstand the pressures of whatever weather conditions prevail.

NEVER WATER ROSES OVER THEIR FOLIAGE LATER THAN 2.00PM … ROSES MUST HAVE DRY FOLIAGE GOING INTO THE EVENING OR YOU WILL DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE SPORES OF MILDEW TO OCCUR!

These curly leaves are an indication of mildew – you MUST take action immediately by spraying with eco-rose/eco-fungicide (same product) when you see this happening on your roses …

Keep your monthly organic rose management program happening – it’s easy, effective, really economical and guarantees healthy, robust, free-flowering HAPPY roses throughout the season!

Q.  What’s brown and sits on a piano stool?  A.  Beethoven’s LAST MOVEMENT! 

Because of the amazing growth occurring with flower buds developing, fertilize NOW (if you haven’t already) and apply seaweed solution regularly to increase thickness of the cell wall of your plants to withstand all weather variables – apply every fortnight all over the leaves to ensure your roses enjoy up to 5 degrees frost and heat tolerance!

Hope your garden is well mulched as we head into the warmer weather – planting seedlings of NASTURTIUM which add a lovely colourful ground-covering mass will act as a ‘double-whammy’ because the plant secretes a mustard oil which many insects find attractive and will seek out – particularly cabbage moth.  Alternatively, the flowers repel aphids and cucumber beetle; planted around apple trees is advantageous to repel codling moth… plant Nasturtium after frosts just as you would tomato seedlings.  It’s all happening now … Gra

Be sure to attend this spectacular gardening event at the Melbourne Showgrounds which is sure to be a most entertaining event for the whole family!  Come visit with Diana at Stand D30 where she will happily sign a copy of her book ALL ABOUT ROSES and show you how giftroses.com.au really works.  See you there!

A TESTIMONIAL FOR SHARING …

If you still have spaces in your garden where you wish to plant roses, go to rosesalesonline.com.au and ORDER NOW … all prices will increase next week when we cease sending bare-rooted roses!

Q.  Why did the runner wear ripple-soled shoes?  A.  To give the ants a 50:50 chance.

Exactly why we prefer to use a fork rather than a shovel when digging holes in the garden because you slice through worms with a shovel while a garden fork gives worms a really good chance of survival!!!

GRA’S GARBLE …

WORMS ARE THE STOMACH OF THE EARTH –

Worms play a critical role in improving and enriching soil.  In the soil their tunnel networks create air channels, optimizing aeration and provide conduits for watering the soil.  You may say:  “I don’t see many worms in my garden!”  Well, worms need moisture to be able to track through soil so, in our hot climate, worms will go deeper into soil where it’s cool and moist – then you may not see them in the upper soil level, hence, the importance of mulch!!!

Earthworms live an inter-linked life with fungi, bacteria, protozoa, nematodes and soil micro-organisms (all good critters!) and scientists say there are still over 60,000 soil microbes to be discovered – WOW!  How many worms and microbes are in this handful of compost?

Worms function as premium plant-residue shredders – they turn and churn and their castings (poo and wee) is a great source of plant nutrient.  An abundant worm population will produce a ton of castings per acre per year in optimum conditions.

How do you, a ‘back-yard gardener’ encourage earthworms in your garden?

• Continually mulch the soil
• Limit using toxic pesticides and herbicides – any chemicals!
• Only dig soil where planting – don’t dig entire garden beds
• Use only organic fertilizer – compost, animal manures will be a feast for worms
• Walk on pads of mulch to reduce soil compaction
• Be thankful for the natural work worms do in our environment and keeping our plants happy!

Q.  What happens if you eat yeast and shoe polish?  A.  Every morning you will rise and shine!

Here’s a tip:  Worms LOVE boiled pumpkin so grow plenty of pumpkins this season and when harvested, boil them up and spread the mash pulp over the soil, cover with mulch to keep it damp.  Don’t forget, if mildew is present on the leaves of your pumpkins, spray with Eco-fungicide/Eco-rose (same product, different label) so that you are sure to harvest organically approved pumpkin to feed the worms who will flourish in your garden!

Q.  What kind of a person is fed up with people?  A.  A cannibal. 

Here’s one of my choice roses to consider if you want some amazing colour in your garden this season … ASHRAM is a stunning bright orange, perfect blooms for a vase, light fragrance and can be grown in a pot too …

WATERING POTTED ROSES …

Many potted plants succumb due to lack of adequate watering and since many more gardeners are growing roses in large tubs due to smaller garden spaces, it is imperative to know HOW to water potted plants …

It is so, so important to water potted plants adequately and you do it by watering over the WHOLE upper surface of the pot and not just at the neck of a plant since roots are spread over the entire space within the pot!

Always leave a good 3-5 cms of space below the rim when planting into large tubs allowing space for a light layer of milled lucerne mulch and then water over the ENTIRE mulch surface, filling the pot to the rim at EVERY watering to be sure water travels throughout the potting mix and reaching all the roots which will store water.

Watering pots might seem a ‘chore’ – see it as time to be at one with nature, quiet, peaceful time but please don’t water your rose pots after work in the evening with a glass of your favourite beverage in one hand, hose in the other – get up a little earlier and be sure to conduct your watering program to the morning with your cuppa in hand!   Wet foliage overnight will definitely encourage disease issues on roses!!!

Have a beaut week in your garden with kids in tow … we’re getting organised for the Festival at Melbourne Showgrounds 9-11 October – be sure and put the dates in your calendar because Diana is on the speaking program – don’t miss her presentations at what we believe will be a spectacular spring event …

Lots of folks out on their lawn mowers as the grass grows while you’re mowing!  Green and glorious colour in every glance, oh, the joy of spring – daffodils, tulips, lush foliage and because of recent rains, weeds pull out easily – such a joyous, happy time in gardens everywhere!

SPRING IS ‘FALLING IN LOVE’ SEASON …

An email from a customer who ordered ‘FALLING IN LOVE’ rose … Thank you so much Diana, l really appreciate that!  The gorgeous roses arrived earlier today and l am so thrilled.  Absolutely Beautiful!  You made me laugh re: comment about the thorns on the ‘Falling In Love’ Rose … lol.  Thank you again for your exceptional & quality service. It’s a credit to you & your business.  Wishing you every continued success … and l will most certainly be buying from you again in the future. Take care & kindest regards, Nada …  This is FALLING IN LOVE … thorns and all …

What was the breeder thinking when he named this rose???  Must have been at odds with the love of his life because seriously, the thorns are SCARY but yes, the flower is gorgeous and long lasting in a vase but very little fragrance!  I would rather you purchase THE CHILDREN’S ROSE – way less thorns, magnificent fragrance, perfect blooms, strong bush and beautiful name when you need to have  GIFT ROSE … see giftroses.com.au

ROSES IN THE POST – IT WORKS LIKE THIS …

Because I put a good amount of wet coir potting mix at the roots, wrap the whole lot in damp newspaper and seal off in a plastic bag, the roses are travelling well and keep on growing in the box … they’ve got no light so cannot photosynthesise until you take them from the box and plant them …

Hi Di …
Here they are YAY !!!!!!!!!!  As always thank you so very much…no time to chat…I’m off to plant them.

Cheers, Jen

Good Morning Di –
It generally only takes a short time for the leaves to ‘green up’, today’s photo is of the Apricot Nectar which was in the forefront of the photo I sent when they arrived on Monday.  As you can see the colour has changed quite a lot already and they’ve only been here one and a half days.  Until next time (which probably won’t be long hahaha) thank you and all the best to you and yours. 

Cheers, Jen

GRA’S GARBLE …

It is imperative to beautiful settlement of your roses that you soak them to a slurry when planting and then soak over the whole plant with seaweed solution immediately after and then at least every fortnight until they are settled and showing signs of growth!  DO NOT OVERWATER ROSES … weekly watering with 20 litres of water, delivered at the same time so the water soaks to the root-zone is HEAPS … please don’t be a wally with water!!!

eco-seaweed has just been SUPER SIZED!  We’re excited to announce the release of eco-seaweed in a whopping 600g pack which represents amazing value for money for our customers.  It’s a 50% increase from the 400g jar without any price increase!  Reasons we highly recommend eco-seaweed 600g powder

• 100% seaweed extract containing 16%potassium
• Powder seaweed – easily dissolves – no heavy lifting!
• $32.50 per 600g – extraordinary value! Treats up to 6,000 square metres
• Screw top lid is easier to open and close
• Includes a measuring spoon – one teaspoon per 9 litre watering can
• Sealed in a bag inside the jar for better protection again moisture – leave near the tap!
• Certified Organic
• We can post it to you and suggest you demand your local nursery stock it!

Remember that every bit of effort you put into your garden NOW will be rewarded a thousand-fold and more when the roses start blooming and flower for the next at least eight months onwards!

Hello dear rose friends … you’ve got the rest of today and all of tomorrow for productive weeding according to the moon planting guide – the next two weeks are ideal for planting ABOVE GROUND crops so take a visit to your local garden centre, pick punnets of happy flowers and veggie seedlings to plant around the borders of your rose garden – this is an ideal way of hindering the lawn from spreading into the garden and you have the advantage of a colourful / productive display – JUST DO IT!

THINGS I MUST DO this week in my rose garden:

• Re-trim after winter pruning – there might be some frost damage, maybe a bud isn’t producing strong, healthy growth so trim down to a sturdy outward facing bud;
• Check all the ties on standard roses – undo, retie securely – we use and recommend Velcro ONE-WRAP – double-sided Velcro which takes years to perish;  NOTE:  metal stake extends 20-30cms above the crown for added support!

  

• Tie down the canes of climbing roses – check that new growth is occurring in a direction you want the growth to be supported and flowering;
• Heavily mulch with compost and pea-straw around all CLEMATIS – they will grow at a rate of knots now and setting flower buds – keep their roots cool with thick mulch!
• Spray the organic rose management program – noticed aphids on kale in the veggie garden – they’re sure to find the roses so spraying BEFORE they get to the roses will  ensure we’re keeping them at bay by destroying them at the larval stage.

That’s enough work for this week!

GRA’S GARBLE …

I hope you have seen and heard frogs in your garden?  I highly recommend you limit using weedicides and other chemicals as they will have a seriously detrimental impact on the environmentally healthy status of your garden – frogs easily absorb chemicals through their permeable skins, which they can breathe through when underwater and research suggests chemicals are playing a significant and previously unknown role in the global decline of amphibians!

In recent experiments, “the most striking result was that a chemical designed to kill plants killed 98 percent of all tadpoles within three weeks and 79 percent of all frogs within one day”. (University of Pittsburgh researcher, Rick Relyea)

When you see aphids on your roses, please don’t race down to the supermarket and pick up a ‘quick-fix’ chemical spray – implement the organic spray program with Eco-Oil and maybe add Eco-Neem (if the infestation is severe) but otherwise, be patient and let Mother Nature take control – soon enough, ladybirds, lacewings, wrens and other small birds along with all other predators of aphids will abound because you’ve allowed a ready food-source for them to be part of your natural haven!

Q.  What did one frog say to another when he jumped into the river?  A.  Knee-deep, knee-deep, knee-deep!

Consider these little ditties to keep you smiling while you age gracefully, like I am …

• When I was a child I thought nap time was punishment. Now it’s like a mini holiday.
• If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would’ve put them on my knees.
• When the kids text me “plz” which is shorter than “please”, I text back “no” which is shorter than “yes”.
• The biggest lie I tell myself is “I don’t need to write that down, I’ll remember it.”  

FERTILISER FOR ROSES …

ALWAYS use an organic fertiliser for all plants in your garden.  Why?  Because organics are taken in by plants when they need it – chemical fertilisers are water soluble and thus force the plant to take food whether it needs it or not!

Chemical fertilising may produce soft, lush growth which is very appealing to insects and black spot/mildew is way more prevalent on ‘forced’ foliage.

We use and recommend COMPLETE ORGANIC FERTILISER (COF) which is rich in humates for soil-conditioning and gently feeds the soil with a complete range of major nutrients – N:P:K (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) as well as a good blend of minerals and micro nutrients.  We understand that not all of you live close enough to our Rose Farm to be able to collect this product so we urge you to consult with a professional at your local plant nursery/agricultural supplier to source the very best (preferably organic) fertiliser for your rose garden!

Keep smiling while out in the sunshine enjoying the burst of spring growth … Gra

SHARING THE JOY OF MORE HAPPY CUSTOMERS …

A GARDEN FESTIVAL FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY …

Come and be part of THE big spring event in Melbourne. Meet gardening legend, ABC Organic Gardener Peter Cundall who’ll open the festival, give a gardening demo and meet ‘n greet…

If you’re a foodie, you’ll love watching MasterChef winner, Emma Dean, on stage cooking and talking about plant and food foraging. Learn too from Outback Chef, Mark Olive (SBS) about bush tucker foods, and ‘From Paddock to Plate’ local food producers.

For kids, what could be better than getting your hands dirty with DirtGirl! At the dirtgirlworld Activity Centre, why not learn how pot a plant – and get to take it home.

Other gardening celebrities such as Angus Stewart and Costa will be around to answer gardening questions. There’s an array of stage talks and presentations from leading horticulturalists and those who just know their stuff.