How to Grow Roses Using Organic Gardening Methods
Roses are among the most elegant of garden flowers, offering delicious scents and beautiful arrays of color and blooms. Growing them organically in a home flower bed is akin to working in harmony with nature. The basic concept behind organic growing is that growers avoid harmful chemicals of all forms and find alternative methods, using naturally existing components. The primary element in growing roses organically is the soil in which they'll grow. Choose plants wisely, tend to them as needed and you'll enjoy bountiful bouquets for years.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Gardening tools
- Compost or Humus
- Organic fertilizers
- Mulch
- Bypass shears/pruners
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1
Locate the area in your garden where you will create a rose bed. Look for a site that gets at least six hours of sunlight daily.
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2
Dig and prepare the bed -- good depth to dig is about 1 foot. Cut the outline of the bed with a spade or other garden tool, then dig out any weeds, grasses or other debris. Turn the soil over completely. If you have clay present or poorly draining soil, add shredded bark, compost, pine needles or other amendments and mix in well.
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3
Dampen the soil and add organic fertilizer throughout according to the directions on the container or box. Let the prepared bed rest for about a week, then remove any weed or grass seedlings and turn it again.
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4
Water the bed and check for drainage issues such as puddling. Add more decomposed compost or other amendments until problems stop. Another alternative is to create a slight berm or raised area by mounding the soil to about 1 or 2 feet in height, tapering to the ground at all edges.
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5
Visit a reputable -- preferably organic -- nursery to select your plants. The best plants are own-root, but you can also find bare root roses. Make sure any holding material isn't dried out, the leaves are healthy looking, no black spots or yellowing are present and the plant overall has a good look to it.
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6
Dampen the bedding area and let it drain. The next day, dig holes deep enough for planting. Set the roses one by one into the holes, spreading the roots carefully. Fill the holes with soil and tamp it down gently. Take care not to add too much soil or cover the root stock/graft section of hybrids, or you'll get a lot of suckers and other concerns may arise.
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7
Add a handful or two of decomposed compost around each rose. Mulch with a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark, pine needles or other organic matter. Water the bed in well.
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8
Let the roses grow naturally, watering periodically as needed. Deadhead old blooms -- this means cut off any roses that have died on the bush. Allow the bushes to grow for a year or two before pruning.
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Add organic fertilizers as directed by the manufacturer, or periodically add a little more decomposed compost matter. Add a box of ladybugs to your garden if you see aphids or apply organic pest controls as needed. Enjoy the blooms as they appear.
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Tips & Warnings
Own-root roses can be purchased at nurseries or by mail through online sources. These may seem smaller in size than grafted hybrid bare root roses, but will catch up within a year. If you aren't certain, test a couple of varieties of both own-root and bare root roses.
Maintaining a compost pile will benefit all your garden plants. Learn about composting and add components year-round, turn it and use the returns.
If you want a naturally beautiful rose bed, stick to your organic methods. In time, you'll be much more appreciative of what transpires. Avoid temptations that can arise when confronted by a concern such as an apparent disease or pest problem. Typically, organic gardens suffer far fewer problems on the whole, but if something questionable occurs, take the time to investigate rather than panicking or grabbing a harsh chemical spray. Consult with a master gardener or find someone knowledgeable at the nearest college extension program that applies organic growing methods.
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