Hello dear rose friends as I write this date which appears on all my legal documents – another year older … sadness as this is the first birthday I will celebrate without a phone call from my Mum but I know she’s looking over us to be sure we’re tending the roses well!
GRA’S GARBLE …
I’ve been managing on my own while Diana was gallivanting around Perth with her cousin Joyce – they share their birth dates on the same year during February. Mooi and I coped well and I was able to reinvent my compost heaps – while the boss is away, mice will play!
Here’s what I’ve now created
This compost heap is a blend of new materials deep in the centre which should break down more quickly because of the outer layer of humus over which, of course, I will place a thick layer of raw materials (straw / horse manure with shavings) in order to retain moisture and protect microbes from intensely hot sun. I’ll soak the whole area with a sprinkler at least once a week for no less than one hour – moisture hastens breakdown of all the composting materials!
Q. Where do horses get their hay? A. From their Neigh-bours … which is exactly where we get all our horse manure with shavings … we are sooooo lucky to have this resource so close and we do check when they last wormed their animals. Fresh manure from recently injected horses needs to be placed in separate areas and NOT on our compost heap as the chemicals might potentially kill our compost worms!!!
When completely broken down in say, two – three months, I will use all of this compost/humus around the rose garden during winter – both for planting new roses and spread up to 10litres (one bucket-full) around established roses once they’ve been pruned.
It’s very important to mulch humus when you place it around your plants as it …
- Feeds worms and soil microbes
- Retains top soil from being blown away in wind
- Prevents weeds from seeding
- Keeps soil moist and evens soil temperature
There are so many benefits in composting your household and garden refuse – it’s easy once you learn how to and you’ll definitely enjoy the rewards of a robustly healthy and environmentally sustainable garden for your family to enjoy!
Q. Why do fish live in salt water? A. Because pepper makes them sneeze!
THE LOVELIEST ROSES THIS WEEK …
JUST JOEY
Is still one of the most popular roses we sell and is rich in colour now that the nights are a little bit cooler!
PRINCESS DE MONACO
Is so stately and grand – magnificent in the extreme and the lush healthy foliage complements the overall beauty of this lovely rose!
GRA’S BLUE
Has flowered and flowered through the most incredibly hot weather and the fragrance is amazing! Very highly recommended rose for sure!
Q. What’s the difference between a musician and a cricketer? A. One scores a hit and the other hits a score!