Hello Dear Rose Friends,
We’re so excited to tell you that segments of ABC Garden Show tomorrow night at 7.30pm with Millie Ross were filmed here at Silkies Rose Farm, Clonbinane.
YOU MUST TUNE IN – If you miss Friday night, there’s a repeat on Sunday, 26th June at 1.30pm or you can view by streaming the ABC website or iView after the first broadcast.
Millie will show you how to prune your roses this winter!
The saying that summer gardens are planted in winter applies most especially to roses. Winter, which extends from June 1st to August 31st, is an ideal time of year to plant bare-rooted roses. There is no pressure from high temperatures, neither in transit nor once planted!
Their roots have ample time to settle. It is easier for them provided you’ve done the preparation like, checked drainage is ok, there’s composted manure added and that earthworms are present. Best you make sure the garden is well prepared prior to planting. Every bit of goodness you afford the soil now will be rewarded by robust, healthy bushes and prolific flowering for many years to come!
As soon as temperatures rise and the sun shines, the roses will start shooting foliage. Very quickly, rose buds will appear so you will be rewarded with an incredible flush of rose blooms from October/November onwards.
Quite amazing really that from those bare ‘sticks’ you’ll be seeing beautiful rose blooms so quickly.
A giggle for you this week …
Q: Where do gardeners sleep?
A: In flower beds, of course!
It’s a bit of a drawn-out season with miserable weather which makes digging roses a challenge. Also, many varieties were budded later than usual so we’ve made the decision to leave them in the soil longer so they ‘harden up’ and enjoy a bit of winter in their current location.
Please be patient to receive your bare-rooted rose order. All orders are covered and we’re almost 100% sure that every rose you ordered will be delivered to you by the end of August!
We will not substitute unless there is no option but will be in touch with you accordingly.
CARE OF NEWLY PLANTED BARE-ROOT ROSES
Emails are interesting. Here’s an exchange from Matt.
"Dear Diana, Gra and colleagues Two weeks ago I received my two purchased bare root roses, “Mr Lincoln”. They have been planted. Your instructions mention pruning the limbs of the newly-planted roses but I am confused about this. First, you have already pruned them a lot to fit them into a postage box. Do they really need to be pruned further?
Second, you are not clear about when to do the pruning; immediately on receipt before planting, immediately after they have been planted; 1 week; or 1 month; or in the late winter; or when?
(Note The first two options are already past in my case.) Thank you for your advice."
My response: Hi Matt. Since you received two roses, perhaps let me challenge you to prune just one of them again … yes, since you’ve planted them, do it NOW. Take at least half of the existing growth away.
In a few months, take pictures and let us see the difference between the two plants – you too will be amazed!
Whether you do this task at planting, after planting or a few weeks after planting makes little difference, most important that you DO IT.
Cheers and thanks for raising this issue again … enjoy the roses in your garden … GRA
Patiently Waiting Rose Bundle Promo
THIS WEEK’S PROMO … Whilst they’re available bare-rooted, please purchase these three of the most popular roses and plant them in your garden. Perhaps add them to an existing order and we’ll waive any extra postage costs.
Whether the weather be cold,
Or whether the weather be hot,
We'll weather the weather,
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not.
One last giggle for this week …
Q: What do you call flowers who are BFFs?
A: Best Buds
Be sure to take a stroll in your winter garden or perhaps in the streets around your home and check out what’s happening in gardens within your area. Stop and have a chat with a neighbour. Enjoy the moments!
Cheers from a busy team here at Clonbinane...