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Organic Rose Gardening: Growing Roses The Natural Way

Organic rose gardening places great emphasis on using natural methods to grow roses and control pests, rather than using man made or synthetic fertilizers and chemicals. Organic gardening on the whole is much safer for your children and pets as they are less likely to come into contact with hazardous gardening products.

The first step in organic rose gardening starts when you prepare the soil prior to planting your rose. Instead of using industrially prepared fertilizers (which often result in great quantities of hazardous by products during their manufacture) you should use naturally occurring products. For example, bone meal is a good source of Phosphorus which is essential for promoting healthy roots and large abundant blooms. Other essential nutrients are released by tiny micro organisms which live in the soil and break down dead plant matter. This plant matter can be provided by adding compost to the soil mix you use when planting your roses.

One of the major benefits or organic rose gardening is that no synthetic chemicals are used to control pests. These chemicals are washed down into the soil every time it rains or you water your rose plants. Once in the soil they kill the micro organisms which break down the compost into the essential trace elements required for healthy plant growth.

It is difficult to grow roses entirely on their own organically, as organic gardening places great emphasis on companion planting of other plant species to attract beneficial insects. These beneficial insects feed on the harmful insects which damage your plants. For example, fennel, angelica, coriander and dill all grow large numbers of the tiny flowers favored by parasitoid wasps which feed on aphids, caterpillars and grubs. Another example of a useful companion flower is Queen Anne's Lace which is favored by lacewings, ladybugs and hoverflies. These insects feed on and control the numbers of aphids, mealybugs and mites.

With organic rose gardening it is even possible to make organic fungicides. For example a 50/50 solution of milk and water will control powdery mildew. Another popular anti fungal treatment is a mix know as the Cornell Formula. Every organic gardener has their own recipe, but they are all variations of mixing one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of horticultural oil into one gallon of water which should be sprayed onto your rose plants every seven to ten days.

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