PLANTING ROSES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 132, 5 June 1937, Page 13

PLANTING ROSES

The actual date of planting roses is governed entirely by weather prevai 1- ! ing in any locality. Growers are usul ally loth to lift until the colder wea- : ther has checked the sap flow and \ stripped the foliage, but in the event of mild conditions continuing well ; into the winter as happens sometimes, ■it is better to push ahead with the j planting during the next few weeks, 1 rather than wait until the soil is i thoroughly chilled. At the same time, i however, planting should not be done when the soil is in a saturated condition. Should the bushes arrive during a wet spell then the wisest course is to “heel” them in, in some out-of-the-way corner for a few days until the soil is reasonably dry. Planting in even partially frozen ground should not be attempted. In the event of frost the bundle of bushes should not even be unpacked. Simply lay it in a frost-proof shed to thaw out gradually. The site for the beds should have been prepared well in advance. For one thing, the soil will take some time to settle, especially if bulky manures have been added, and it is impossible to firm the roots thoroughly in freshly turned soil, I