Organic Rose Gardening  

What is organic gardening?  They are gardens that do not use inorganic fertilizers, pesticides or artificial growth hormones on their plants.

Organic gardening is the use of the eco-system already existing in nature. Nutrients, insects, wildlife, population habits and wildlife are part of the system in which your roses will thrive and grow as nature intended. Natural gardeners to work in harmony with natural eco-systems to minimize depletion of resources while replenishing it through gardening.

Organic gardening begins with consideration of soil conditions.  Consciousness organic gardeners enhance the fertility of the soil by adding raw ingredients such as grass trimmings, composted vegetation, decaying leaves, weeds and plants.  These form the building blocks that nourish the soil, so it provides everything your plant needs in its most natural form.

Soil construction defines success in the organic garden.   Regularly replenishing the nutrients most needed by your plants creates a cycle that allows the soil to become more productive each year.  Mixing organic matter into the soil, allows you to mimic Nature's cycle of birth, decay, and rebirth.  

Ideal garden soil is dark colored, smells somewhat sweet and compresses into a lump in your hand when moist, and is full of earthworms.  If you are trying to convert your garden to organic, it may take several years to undo the damage done by synthetic and toxic chemicals. It's pretty easy to control all or most of the intruders that attack your precious rose garden without the need to poison your environment. 

Roses have been grown for thousands of years before man-made chemicals were ever invented and so these chemicals are not required for cultivation of a thriving rose garden.  By maintaining an organic yard you are able to increase the longevity of your roses and keep your family, pets, and wildlife away from the dangers of damaging chemicals. 

Plants absorb nutrients and water from their roots.  The leaves of the plant go through Photosynthesis is a process plant leaves go through where they use sunlight and water to create energy.  Soil quite naturally contains bacteria, fungus, nematodes, worms, plus other organisms.  These organism’s help breakdown dead materials thus enriching the soil.   

Using chemical fertilizers and pesticides destroys natural soil organisms and disrupt the natural relationship of the roses to the soil.  Without helpful bacteria to protect rose plant roots, harmful fungi can harm the plant. 

It is also possible to get your roses addicted to chemical fertilizers.  The more you use chemicals to liven up your roses, the more the roses come to depend on chemicals.    

Organic rose gardening does not include the use of man-made pest control products.  A fundamental truth of organic gardening is that pests are part of nature and they will be part of your garden too. 

One way to ensure insect-free gardening is to choose specific plants which are suited to your climate and soil.  The plants themselves resist disease attacks and ward off insect infestation. There are also many forms of companion plantings such as garlic and onion, that, when planted near your rose bushes which will keep them safe from insects. 

Lady bugs and some species of wasps are considered beneficial for preying on insect pests.  Other natural control techniques include birds, frogs, lizards, and snakes for certain pest problems.   

Rose gardening enthusiasts strive to grow the largest, most fragrant, abundant blooms each growing season. This goal can be accomplished organically by putting just as much time and effort into your garden as you would put money into toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers.