Category Archives: Plants

How to care for Knock out Roses

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Knock out RosesYou will be rewarded with more abundant blooming, the more hours of sunlight your new rose bush gets. Knockout roses are very easy to grow, and will thrive in most landscapes conditions. Shrub roses prefer moist well draining soil and good nutrition. Soils consisting of high organic matter will retain moisture and promote strong abundant blooms. Knock Out roses are a shrub rose bush that grows to about 3 feet in height and stays in a relatively tidy mound. Proper care will keep this rose bush blooming late into the fall.  Tips for the care of Knock Out roses include:

  • Cut the Knock Out rose bush down to approximately 12 inches in late fall or early spring, using a handheld pruner.
  • Shape the Knock Out rose bush during the growing season. Keep the mound as rounded as possible. Trim any branches that are growing faster than others.
  • Remove faded blooms by deadheading to encourage new growth. Regular deadheading will keep the Knock Out rose bush blooming until late fall.
  • Water the Knock Out rose bush at the bottom of the shrub.. Reducing the shrub’s exposure to overhead watering prevents leaf spot and disease. Increase the watering frequency during dry weather.
  • Spread a layer of mulch around the Knock Out rose bush, taking care not to pile the mulch against the stems. Apply mulch approximately 3 inches thick.
  • Apply a fertilizer developed for rose bushes. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on fertilizing frequency.

·         Ensure that the Knock Out rose bush is in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Roses placed in heavy soil may rot.

Gardening for beginners: Annuals and Perennials.

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how to grow annuals and perennialsBoth annuals and perennials have their place in the garden. Annuals are best for beginning gardeners since these plants offer instant gratification, ample variety, and they’re also easy to grow. Shallow-rooted, these plants don’t require a lot of deep soil preparation before you set them out. They bloom only once and must be replaced at the end of the season. Perennials will return each season for years to come, but they also require a lot of deep soil preparation before planting plus some upkeep, and they bloom for only a few weeks.

Planting and Growing Annuals:

  • Annuals should not be planted until after the last frost, depending on your location in the U.S this can be late May.
  • In early spring, start some plants from seeds indoors. After the last frost, set out seedlings that have begun growing indoors and sow other types directly in the garden.
  • Since most annuals are shallow-rooted, it is not necessary to dig the soil deep. Annuals like a fertile soil that is somewhat richer than the types used for perennials. Fertilizing products as be used.
  • Check the soil acidity; most annuals will do well with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
  • Plant sun-loving annuals in an area that gets at least six hours of sun per day. Be sure to know whether the annual prefers a sunny or partial shade and place appropriately in flower garden.
  • Don’t plant annuals in an area where tree roots take up space and rob the soil of moisture.
  • If soil drainage is poor, plant the annuals in raised beds.

Planting and Growing Perennials:

  • When planting perennials, consider the desired blooming season, spring, summer or fall. This decision will determine which perennial varieties the garden will include, as well as where plants will be located.
  • Select a sunny spot for the garden as most perennials are sun-loving and require at least six hours of sun per day to grow and bloom well. The site should also have good drainage, since most perennials will rot if water collects around them and sits for any length of time. If the selected site is a wet area, plant a raised bed.
  • Prepare the perennial bed in the fall and allow it to settle.
  • Dig beds to appropriate depth, since perennials are long-term residents, not short-term tenants. Then add generous amounts of rotted manure and peat to the subsoil layer, combined with a handful of wood ashes and super-phosphate for each three to four cubic feet of soil. (This will eliminate the need for added fertilizer.)