By observing a few basic steps even the novice can grow good roses. Study the following helpful hints and you will be well on the way to creating your own award-winning rose garden:

First, establish in your mind that you really love roses and are willing to contribute a bit of perspiration to grow them.

Next, provide a good start for your rose growing by selecting only the best available plants. Buy Grade 1 plants that have at least three strong canes and a good root system. Avoid paraffin-coated plants and weak specimens.

Locate a sunny place in your garden that furnishes at least 6 hours of sunshine. If drainage is poor improve it by raising the beds or grow them in pots.

Give the rose bush a good home. Make sure the soil is fertile and includes 1/3 top soil, 1/3 creek sand (avoid golf course type sand) and be sure 1/3 of the planting mix is in the form of organic material (manures, compost, shredded leaves, mushroom compost, etc.).

Roses are heavy feeders. Give the plant ample food. Use organic foods coupled with chemical fertilizers. Mills Magic Rose Mix and Mills EasyFeed provides the perfect example of this type feeding. A complete meal for plants. Organics should be applied at least quarterly during growing cycle and chemical feeding should be provided bi-weekly to obtain optimum results.

Guard against plant diseases by establishing a defensive spraying program that is applied weekly. Always abide by the instructions listed on the chemical's label. Spray for insects with an insecticide when insects are present. Use utmost care when spraying with chemicals.

To promote vigorous growth in plants always prune the bush correctly. Remove unproductive growth that robs the plant of nutrients. Keep the bush open to promote air circulation that will help to restrict disease.

Since rose bushes are fruit trees the plant attempts to "go to fruit." By removing spent blooms the fruiting cycle is interrupted. Prompt removal of faded blooms speeds the plant to attempt to fruit again, thereby producing another bloom cycle. Failure to cut spent blooms produces the "hip" or seed pod and the bush will stop blooming.

When Winter arrives and the temperature falls below freezing the rose bush begins to suffer unless adequate protection against the cold is provided. Covering the "bud union" with at least 10 inches of clean top soil should provide ample protection. The addition of mulching material will help to prevent soil erosion that will expose the very important bud union. Keep the protection intact until all danger of frost and freeze is past.

It has been said that the three most important steps to good rose growing are water, water, water. This statement cannot be overemphasized. It is the most neglected of all chores in rose growing. Roses need at least 6 to 10 gallons of water weekly. Unless it rains, the rosarian must provide this all important ingredient if the roses are to flourish. Periodically check the moisture content of the soil around the rose bushes. It will insure the plants succulent growth more than any other item.

Use these helpful hints as a road map to successful rose growing. For more detailed information contact a local Consulting Rosarian or the American Rose Society.

Good luck!!!

Ted