(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Given proper attention and a healthy environment, your rose bushes will flourish for many years.
Chicago Botanic Garden’s Lisa Hilgenberg has this week’s gardening tips.
The first line of defense against any rose problem is a healthy, strong plant. With a little advanced preparations, such as, using well-drained soil and added plenty of composted organic matter, this will provide the ultimate growing environment.
Here are some rose bush planting tips:
- Fully hydrate rose roots before planting.
- Plant roses in an area that receives full sunlight for at least six hours a day.
- Space plants far apart to allow enough air to circulate around the roses to promote rapid drying of the leaves.
- Water early in the day to reduce fungal problems.
- Be sure to clean up all plant debris around roses regularly.
- A layer of double-ground leaf mulch goes a long way to maintaining adequate mositure in the soil, protecting healthy roses.
