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ROSE CARE FOR APRIL
by John Goldsmith, Consulting Rosarian

‘Bay Friendly’ is a term bandied about lately, in similar conversations with ‘green’, ‘localism’, ‘ecological balance’ and ‘sustainable economy’. But what is it?

This word is specific to our region’s vast bay system which is fed primarily by the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. This massive amount of water empties into the Pacific Ocean via the Golden Gate - constantly. The Bay Friendly philosophy ‘intends to support environmental habitats and reduce costs’. This concept was born from a local public agency trying to figure out ways to help the environment AND save money.

There are defined principles and best practices that are free to the public and can be found on their extensive website located at: http://www.stopwaste.org Conversely, these practices could also be ‘creek friendly’, ‘prairie friendly’, ‘habitat friendly’, ‘ocean friendly’ and so on. Gardeners often consider methods on how to have a harmonious, integrated AND cultivated natural space, and at the same time, repair the habitat that has been compromised by human development. Rosarians, rose growers and rose fans are increasingly interested in ‘least toxic’ and ‘organic’ horticultural practices both to save money and help the environment.

But you may ask, “How does Bay Friendly landscaping relate to the April rose care article and us rosarians?!”

Well, good question. April is the month when we typically start buying fertilizers and other products for our roses. This month is a good time to remember how we may have cared for our nutrient loving roses in the past and how we cultivate our roses now. We are concerned that certain garden-related chemicals found in fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides are moving beyond our plants and leeching into our aquifers, water tables and waterways thus creating harmful, poisonous effects for soil microbes, insects, frogs, fish, birds and mammals, including us two-legged ones!

Some solutions and practical steps for growing ‘Bay Friendly’ roses include nurturing the soil with quality compost and mulches, select size appropriate roses (so less cuttings go to the landfill), water judiciously and to drench your roses with compost tea fertilizer one or two times a year (definitely in April). If you would like to see a demonstration on how we make the compost tea fertilizer for the rose garden, I will be giving demonstrations at the Marin Rose Garden on May 14th as part of the 5th Annual Eco Friendly Garden Tour. Each visitor will be able to select a single rose flower of their choosing to take home from this ‘Bay Friendly’ rose garden. It is very possible to have gorgeous roses and be kind to the environment. Come visit us, you will see the proof and leave inspired!

For more information regarding the Eco Friendly Garden Tour visit http://mcstoppp.org and for the compost tea recipe see http://marinrose.org/caremarch2010.html

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A YEAR OF ROSE CARE:

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Last Modified: 4/20/11