rose fertilizers
- To: m*@ucdavis.edu
- Subject: rose fertilizers
- From: E*@agora.stm.it
- Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 11:11:32 ITA
> Subject: ROSE FERTILIZERS
>
> One wonders if bone meal eventially could have negative resultts on human
health. The mad cow disease seems to hover near the bones of the cow and
beef is being sold boneless in some places as an extra measure of security.
>
> In Italy we buy a similar slow releasing (expensive) fertilizer made of
ground hoof-and-horn which works in a like manner.
>
> COMPOST - we must not forget this important organic source of all sorts
of trace minerals as well as the value it has for adding lightness to the
soil.
>
> CHEAT - for several years I have successfully not dug over or cultivated
our rose beds.
> Instead, after pruning, thorough weeding, a sprinkle of epson salts and
what fertilizer I have (manure in some form from some sort of animal
source), I a good handfull of ground llupine seeds to provide slow
releasing nitrogen.
> I water well, then cover the ground with a thick layer (6 to 8 sheets) of
newspapers. This is a trick I learned from Trevor Nottle to supress weeds.
...do it on a day that isn't windy!
>
> Leave a watering and breathing space around each rose. Then cover the
newspapers with compost, and/or mulch. The beds will look tidy and the
newspapers will gradually break down and disappear. The worms in the
compost will cultivate the soil for you and the minute feeding roots of the
roses, close to the surface, will not be hurt or disturbed.
>
> Weeds will pop through here and there, but weAk and quite easy to yank
out.
>
> At this point I am sure traditional purtists will be cringing...but I can
simply smile, as this unorthodox cheating way has worked well for me and
has helped my allergy to work.
>
> Happy gardening!
> Helene Pizzi
> Rome, Italy
> The newspapers will break down
