Discover The Joys of Organic Rose Gardening

Discover The Joys of Organic Rose Gardening


Organic gardening is becoming more and more popular, especially with people who have small children. It is nice to know there are no dangerous chemicals being put on your garden. Although roses have a reputation as being tricky to grow, with the right tips and techniques organic rose gardening is possible and really not all that difficult. One of the most important considerations for organic rose gardening is the type of rose that you try to grow. You really need to choose roses that do well in your area, and that are resistant to the diseases that are most common in your area. Older varieties tend to be hardier and make better options. There are thousands of different types of roses, so you should be able to find some of the right color and type for your garden. Another important consideration when it comes to organic rose gardening is preparing the soil properly for your roses. You want your soil to have a pH that is near 6.5 for optimal growth. You can add composted material or limestone, depending on whether your soil has a pH that is too high or too low, to help correct the pH. You also want to make sure the soil isn't too rocky and doesn't have too much clay since it needs to drain well. Adding lots of organic matter to the soil is really helpful. One way to help keep bugs and pests away from your roses, and to keep your roses healthy, is to plant companion plants. There are a number of different options that help with organic rose gardening, so you can choose in part based on your preferences for size and color. Some options include garlic, plants in the onion family, marigolds, thyme, mignonettes, nasturtiums, geraniums, rosemary, and alyssum. Different plants help deter different pests, so look into which pests are most common in your area and choose companion plants that will help keep them away. Once you have chosen your plants and prepared the soil, it is time to get your organic rose garden under way. You want to make sure that you plant your roses in the spring just after the frost danger has passed so they have plenty of time to grow deep roots by the winter. You also want to make sure you give them enough space to grow and allow air to circulate. Most roses need between 18 and 30 inches between them, though climbers need more space and miniature varieties need less space than this. If you stagger the plants instead of planting in rows you will be able to fit in more plants. You should cover the ground around the roses with mulch to keep them cool and help with drainage. Your roses should get a deep watering about once a week on the roots (not the leaves), and be regularly fertilized with organic rose fertilizer. They should also be fed several times a year, especially after pruning in the spring, while they are in bud, and about six weeks before the first frost. Be sure to clean up any leaves and debris as this might attract bugs.