ROSE RAMBLER 18.7.2013
Hello dear rose friends … thank you so much for all the caring and sharing! We gardeners seem to have a lot in common … roses and pets go into the same portfolio – how lucky we are to have such a special bond!
This past week I’ve thought how freeing it would be to be a child … I could kick, rant and rave and cry with my mouth wide open – not caring who was watching just letting all the pain be released – just like the kid we’ve all seen in the supermarket! Next time I see one of those despairing children, I will look at them with different eyes and say “good on you, let us all know how unhappy you are!”
THE GARDEN FORK … Yes, my secateurs are the most used garden implement I own and love but after that, I could not work in my garden without my four-flat-pronged garden fork – it does the lot! One of the most beautiful elements of my garden fork is that when I am digging over the garden to plant something new, I notice that I have a far greater chance of not slicing a worm when I use the fork! The shovel is different because it cuts down and through the soil and consequently, the worms.
Being the sook that I am, it’s important to me that every living thing in our garden has a purpose and we should do everything we can to preserve and encourage all living things with respect so I urge you all to use the garden fork rather than a shovel so that you too will give the worms a greater chance of survival when you are digging in your garden!
GRA’S GROWING TIPS … It’s not just me here at the Silkies Rose Farm so for the next few weeks, Graham will be contributing to the Rose Rambler with some great gardening ideas …
- Put a handful of dolomite lime around each rose bush after pruning as it assists in the resistance to fungal problems and balances the pH of the soil enabling the plants to more readily take up and use the nutrition you provide when adding complete organic fertilizer;
- Yes, mulch the garden beds NOW with lucerne, pea straw or any other straw materials because a light mulch through the Winter months encourages worms into your garden by keeping them warm during their breeding cycle, stops weed germination and prevents top soil erosion as well as … definitely mulch around the roses!
- Rather than have one large compost heap a long way from your garden beds, create small areas around the garden where you place 100mm layers of leaves, lawn clippings, animal manures (yes, dog, cat, possum, chook, kangaroo and any other poo you can find!) onto these smaller heaps – as they break down, spread them out – natural mulch extraordinaire!
- Avoid digging in the garden …. save your back … happy gardening! GRAHAM
From the moment Graham’s feet hit the floor out of bed in the morning, he speaks … and then all day, talks and talks and talks! Getting him to write all those wonderful ‘talks’ down is difficult but I promise to tie him down and you will be amazed by his garden wisdom and forthcoming contributions to this Rose Rambler .. stay posted!
“the best way to get most husbands to do something Is to suggest that
perhaps they’re too old to do it ….?”
That’s a very wise quote from Shirley MacLaine which you other ‘girl’ readers may find useful when you want something done around the place … ! Sharing and caring!
IN CLOSING … I had a beaut conversation with a rose grower the other day – we both raved about the sensational performance of the original ‘FireStar’ rose which was released as a memorial to the Black Saturday fires which ravaged Victoria in 2009 … we highly recommend this glorious rose which is still flowering in many gardens even now …
Enjoy your Winter rose garden … Diana & Graham