ROSE RAMBLER – 21.05.2015
Hello dear rose friends … as the season for pruning roses draws near, let us give you some of the best advice to set you in good stead to make your pruning task one of pleasure both for you and your roses –
- See the task as a pleasure rather than a chore
- Always use sharp, clean pruning equipment
- Wear gloves for confidence and to protect your skin
- Prune more rather than less
- Be the boss, have confidence – take control!
So many of our customers rave about the great secateurs we use and promote – the Lowe anvil secateurs is so beautiful to use – fits your hand like a glove, cuts through the hardest, old wood like a dream and is easy to clean and sharpen along the way …
While you’re pruning, stop every now and again to sharpen the secateurs – this little tool will fit into your pouch or pocket and a couple of firm swipes along both sides of the blade ensures the secateurs are sharp throughout the exercise.
If you have a large garden (as we do) with lots of roses to prune, you might consider treating yourself to the PELLENC battery secateurs/hedger – for more information about this equipment, please call our son ERIC SARGEANT on 0402 352 843 or 03 5429 6824 – I would NEVER be able to prune the gardens here without this amazing pruning gear!
Some of you might remember that I had an option of a diamond ring or PELLENC for our special wedding anniversary some years ago … I have never, ever, ever rued the day I chose the new pruning gear and I love every moment I spend with my PELLENC equipment – one of my most prized possessions!!!
GRA’S GARBLE …
GREEN MANURE = RICH SOIL
Wheat/oats/broad beans/peas/silver beet or any plant that grows a green ‘top’ can be sown in open soil with a view to be turned into the soil for green manure. Of course, this gardening practice was used by farmers before chemical fertilizers became so readily available so what does this plant material do when turned into the soil in spring?
- Gives a healthy, balanced soil loaded with nutrient rich in organic matter
- Feeds earthworms which are breeding madly now to October
- Nourishes soil microbes – we cannot see them but they are there!
- Retains moisture – acts like a sponge
- Helps retain top soil
Any green manure crops can be planted around rose bushes and other plants – they’re my excuse for allowing ‘weeds’ in my rose gardens – Diana goes and weeds the garden, I go out and plant wheat! It’s MY garden … OUR argument … oh, what fun!
Q. Why did the cookie go to the Doctor? A. He was feeling really crummy!
Did you know that in around 1781 the first roses came out of China on ‘Tea Clippers’ (sailing boats) into Europe – what a boomer – these roses flowered for 9 months of the year and were the breeding stock of what we now call HYBRID TEA roses – the first registered HYBRID TEA rose is LA FRANCE which is the parent of many of the roses you love today!
Q. What do you get if you cross a crocodile with a camera? A. A snap shot
Be sure to take lots of pics and most surely breathe the glorious autumn fragrance of the last roses of this flowering season – Gra
IN CLOSING …
it’s been such a delight to get out and about speaking to Garden Clubs and groups who are interested in our story – if you would like us to come and speak at your Club, please contact us 03 5787 1123 for more information.
~ Cheers from Diana, Graham and Mooi at Clonbinane
