The way you first plant your rose bushes is also of paramount importance. The commonest mistake is planting them too high. The crown of your plant should be covered with about 1-1/2 inches of soil. While planting too shallow is a problem so is planting too deep. A happy medium will insure proper plant growth. Fall planting is preferred to spring planting. After first killing frost, mount soil around plant for protection.

Rose plants should be pruned before planting and every year. Pruning is best done in early Spring. Follow-up care with careful note of disease or insect infestation will allow you beautiful blooms and healthy plants year after year. If a problem occurs, treat it as quickly as possible. Also deadhead any dead flowers or faded blooms. This gives added strength and vitality to new growth.

A bouquet of roses in varying colors from your very own garden will take their breath away. Their scent will fill your home and their beauty will be noticed by everyone who has opportunity to see them. Try growing roses and you will be most pleasantly rewarded.

ENJOY !

©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 May

Fun objects such as butterflies, angels, little play benches, or bird baths give a light touch to any area that is too serious or intense. Also using your imagination can give visitors impression that you labored just as hard on amenities as on garden itself. If you should ever encounter one of those old clawfoot bathtubs (retail shops, demolition area, or even city recycling center) you can have a very one-of-a-kind fountain. Outfit your cast-off tub with a shower head, put it in a corner of your garden, especially near a wooden fence with ferns or ivy and you have one terrific waterfall that adds fresh water, sound of a waterfall, and appeal of “antique” to your garden.

Store bought objects are fine in a pinch, but hunt down those discards or garage dust-collectors and you have “original” accents. An old rocking chair can be painted with weather resistant paint and cushions. Clay pots decorated by your children or grandchildren add a light touch. Old buckets, stepladders, watering cans or animal figurines are just so many colors on your artist’s palette of ideas just waiting to be used.

There is so much fun to have in decorating your outdoors home-area. You only need imagination, some bright paint or material, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. There is never a mistake to be had - if you don’t like something - change it. If you stick to inexpensive items, they can be interchanged at whim and your garden will always have a fresh perspective. Show off your plants, as well as your artistic talent! ENJOY!

©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 May