Winterizing Roses (to reduce winter kill)

Winterizing Roses (to reduce winter kill)

Now that you have invested your well earned time and money into planting rose bushes, it's time to protect your investment. Harsh cold winters can take a toll on roses. Even a hardy. well established, bush can suffer with an unusually cold winter. The most important part of the plant to protect is the root.

The first part of winterizing is preparing the plant. Usually rose bushes are pruned in the spring; however, newly planted (this year) bare-root bushes should be trimmed down to about 4 inches above the ground. Then the mulch should be placed around that plants.

Winterizing rose bushes is relatively simple. Although there are commercial products available the simplest and easiest winterizing material is hay. Any hay will do but mulching hay is the cheapest. Mulch hay can be picked up from a local farmer or hay dealer..

In late fall after the first freeze but before the first snow, place 4-6 inches of hay around the base of you rose bushes. Do the same about 18-24 inches from the base of the plant. The larger the plant the further away from the base the mulch should stretch.

In early spring after the snow is gone remove the mulch. Be careful not to damage the rose bush at this time.

It's really that simple.

Choosing a Camera

Choosing a Camera

Photography was once an expensive hobby reserved for an elite few. With the invention of the digital camera amateur photography exploded across the globe. From tourists on the Great Wall of China to the business person in the high-rise penthouse in New York; from the hip dance clubs of LA to the backyard rose gardener, the digital camera revolutionized our world. With a few simple clicks, and a computer, we can share or hobbies and interests with a global community.

With the expansion of the digital cameras industry prices dropped further opening the doors of opportunity for the common individual. Yet with this expansion came a flood of choices; each company certain that their product is the best. So, how can you be sure you are getting what you need? This article will walk you through the process and help you feel comfortable with your camera purchase.

My first camera was an Hewlett Packard model. It was a Christmas time Walmart special; just down-right cheap. It had few frills and took only a handful of quality pictures before I had to down load them. But it was the start I needed. Now I've upgraded, but not to an overly expensive model. You to can snap some great quality nature photos with a good mid-range camera.

What to look for in a camera

Here are a few qualities to look for in a camera used for nature photographs.

• Quality Name Brand: Quality, which may cost slightly more in the beginning will be much less expensive as your camera is exposed to the bumps of everyday use. Choose quality first.
• Runs on standard batteries (AA, AAA): Common battery sizes are easier to get, especially in a pinch. Specialty batteries require specific chargers or charging cables. Once they ware out they are more expensive to replace. Moreover, as the camera models change over time the production of older batteries will halt. Look for a camera that uses common battery sizes like AA or AAA.
• Computer interface cable: If you are buying a new digital camera, as apposed to used, it should come with a computer interface cable; this allows you to download pictures to your computer without removing flash card (which stores your photographs). Make sure your camera comes with this cable.
• Simple photo editing software: A simple photo editing program will enhance the quality of your photos. With the right program you can turn a common photograph into a work of art with unbelievable ease.
• Optical zoom (not just digital): Optical zoom offers better quality then digital zoom. Many cameras offer a combination of both. Look for a camera with optical zoom first; if it has digital zoom as well that's a bonus.
• Flash control: Simple flash control with a click of a button enhances you photographic experience. Often non-mechanical lighting enhances the ambiance of nature photography; while a flash can cast unwanted glare.
• Macro capability: Macro setting allows you to take extreme closeups and capture the fullness of color beauty. This setting work superbly when photographing roses or other flowers.

Researching

A little bit of research will give you years of happiness snapping. Make a list of the major mane brands in photography. Names like Canon, Fuji, Minolta, Kodak. You may be able to think of a few more. Now search for these name brand cameras online. Pick a couple cameras that are within your price range from each brand. Most of the features listed above come on these new cameras, but double check just to make sure. Read customer comment and find any customer ratings. Disregard the top (best) 10% and bottom (worst) 10% of the ratings because there are some persons who simply love or hate whatever they get. Look for comments that explain why a person likes or dislikes a particular camera. Jot down a few models that you like.

With this list in hand, grab a couple of friends and browse a few camera shop and electronics stores. Handle a few cameras and find what feels best to you. A reputable salesperson can explain the pro's and con's of each camera. And, they should be able to cover any extra features. Remember: make this a fact finding mission... don't purchase at this time. Your friends are there to remind you of this.

Once your research is done you should have a one or two models that jump to the top of your list.

Purchasing

Although you can buy a camera anytime during the year, I've found the best time to purchase is around Christmas. The market is flooded with all different makes and models and each company competes for your cash with special sales.

Basically there are 5 places to purchase: camera shop, electronic boutique/store, department store, online store, and online auction. Steer clear of department stores unless they have the exact model you were considering. Often they offer lowest quality with their lower prices. (You don't want your camera dieing when you are taking that 'once-in-a-lifetime' photograph.)

Any of the other choices are worthy places to get your quality camera. If you have a chance, check out the online auctions; if you catch the right one you could cut your costs significantly. However, beware and don't get caught up in the bidding frenzies and go over your budget.

No matter what time of year you are purchasing, if you have done your research, you can find a quality camera at an affordable price. Remember: before you actually buy, set your budget price; and remember to set a budget for the little extras; they add up. Things like:

• Camera Bag
• Tripod
• Lens Cleaner
• Extra Batteries
• Extra Memory Card
• Insurance

In conclusion, keep it simple! You want to get a good quality camera, but don't belabor yourself with getting the perfect camera. Enjoy your time researching and celebrate once you have purchased. Welcome to the world of amateur nature photography.

Planting Roses

Planting Roses: Helpful tips to make your planting easier; which means: more fun.

Planting a rose is extremely simple. Just take these steps one at a time and you will be growing your very own rose bush in no time at all.

1. Select your planting area & choose the type of rose bush.
2. Buy your plant.
3. Prepare the soil.
4. Water you plant. (very important)

Here we go… lets break these steps down and make it nice and simple.

Selecting the correct place to grow your rose bush is important. Most roses like the following environment:

• 6+ hours of (preferably morning) sunlight
• Slightly acidic soil; about 6.5
• Well drained soil.

With those details in mind, select the type of rose bush you want.

• Regular bush
• Climbing
• Hedge

If this is your first time planting roses, you may simply want to get a (few) regular bush style rose(s). They take less planning, preparation and care. Once you have had a little experience tending roses, climbing and hedge roses are a beautiful addition to any sunny landscape.

Purchasing your rose plant shouldn’t be a huge affair. Keep it simple especially for your first time. Generally plants come as either ‘bare’ roots or potted. And, they can be purchased from a local chain store like Wal-Mart or Home Depot, green house, or a rose garden center. Here are some pro’s and con’s

Pro’s Con’s

• Chain Stores: Pro's - Cheapest; Con's - No info on plants performance, have to rely on picture of flower
• Green House: Pro's - Potted plant, Can see plant style and flower color; Con's - Usually more expensive
• Rose Grower/Sellers: Pro's - Expert that can answer questions. Often can see plant in bloom; Con's - Usually a distance to travel

If you have a rose bush root instead of a potted plant, before preparing the planting site remove the root from its packing and place it in a 5 gallon pail of cool water. Place the bucket in the shade. Now, get your flower bed ready.

Preparing the soil will make planting easy and, more importantly, give your new rose bush a great start to a healthy life. You will want the following items:

• Shovel
• Trowel
• Fully composted cow manure
• Potting soil or good rich topsoil
• Pail of pine needles (enough for a handful for every cubic foot of hole) this increases the acidity of the soil
• Your new rose bush
• 5 gallons of water

First, remove any sod/grass in a circle about 2-2.5 feet in diameter. Dig a whole at least twice as wide as the root ball; and no less then 1.5 feet wide. Also, dig it 4-6 inches deeper then the root. Place about one inch of fully composted cow manure in the bottom of the hole. Sprinkle a handful of pine needles evenly throughout the hole and then add enough potting soil to allow the stock of the bush to be above ground level while the roots remain covered. Gently pour about 2 gallons of water in the whole and let it soak in. (Note: if the water does not soak in, but remains in the hole, then the area does not have good enough drainage. Choose another site.)

Now it’s time to place your plant in the hole. If you have a potted plant, try to keep as much of the soil with it as you place it in the center of the hole. Then carefully fill in potting soil around the edges using a trowel to work the soil into any air pockets. Gently press the soil down; a medium firmness, not to tight and not loose.

If you have a rose root, hold it in the center of the hole as you place potting soil in around it. Gently pack the soil down being very careful not to injure the root. This process works best with two people; one holding the root the other filling in the soil, but it can be done with just one.

Now the final step; water your new rose bush. Slowly add at least another 3 gallons of water to the area around the base of the plant. Let the water soak into the ground. Over the next couple of weeks you will want to water every other day. And make sure it’s a slow, soaking watering that reaches the deep roots. As your plant shows signs of new growth you can relax the watering cycle to 2-3 times per week depending on how hot and dry your climate is.

The Rose: A brief history.

The Rose: A brief history.

Have you ever wondered how long the rose has been on earth? Or maybe, how long have humans enjoyed the beauty and resources of the rose.

When we think of a rose our mind often conjures a picture of a beautiful flower, often red, pink or yellow, with long stem, green foliage, and (often) sharp thorns. We can revisit the soft subtle scent as we slowly inhale its mesmerizing fragrance. As we bask in these memories let us take a short walk through the history of roses.

Roses have a long and lustrous history on earth. Rose fossils have been found in the western United States dating back as far as 35 million years. But it’s not until approximately 3000 BC that the cultivation of roses started most likely in China. At the height of the Roman Empire, about 100 BC, roses were grown extensively throughout the empire. After the fall of the Roman Empire and through Medieval times the cultivation of roses spread throughout Europe. Finally cultivated roses found there way to America where in the early 1700’s they were being sold in the British Colonies in America.

Curiously wild roses are known only to propagate in the wild of the northern hemisphere. Each adapted to its own environment; from the cold as far north as Alaska to the heat as far south as Mexico. Wild roses also have adapted to moisture conditions as wet as swamps to the much drier areas found in the south. Yet, it was human cultivation that helped nature combine the best traits of these flowers.

Today we enjoy numerous bloom and plant styles. Blooms can be as small as a pinky nail to as large as several inches across. We now have numerous flower colors and shapes; even the number of petals very from a single layer to as crowded 100+ petals. We can grow them as a single plant, as a hedge, or as a trellis climber. The choice of stocks varies from thorn-covered to thorn-less.

Various cultures throughout the world have also enjoyed more then just the lovely look of the rose. Rose hips, the fruit of plant, have 30 times the amount of vitamin C then an orange. Rose hip vitamin C tablets can be found in health food stores today. And, for centuries the delicate pedals have been harvested for their sensual scent; being made into rose water and rose oil.

Today you can grow this beautiful flower. Whether you buy a plant in the gardening section of a local store or go directly to a rose specialty store, certainly you will find a beautiful addition to your garden and your lifestyle.

The Rose

From botanical gardens to back yard beds roses have been a favorite for growing a sharing.

Growing roses is fairly easy because of their wide range of planting zones. They are hardy and grow well even in the cold northern states of the US. With a little bit of trimming, many bushes can produce new blooms from late spring thought mid autumn

Sharing roses brings smiles to faces and warmth to hearts around the world. Roses often signify love; having been a foremost flower at weddings and on Valentine's Day.