Q. I intend to remove the all rock layer around my roses
and apply a 3 inch layer of quality compost, dig it in carefully, and cover it
with western red cedar bark. However, the rock layer is convenient for blowing
out all the leaves from other plants around my roses. How do I keep the rose area
clean?
and apply a 3 inch layer of quality compost, dig it in carefully, and cover it
with western red cedar bark. However, the rock layer is convenient for blowing
out all the leaves from other plants around my roses. How do I keep the rose area
clean?
 |
| Roses growing in rock will start to be “unhappy” in about three to five years. |
A. There is a way to make your roses happier and still leave
the rock in place. I understand it was convenient before because your
maintenance people would come and blow away all the debris with a power blower.
With cedar bark, it will blow everywhere and make it difficult for your
maintenance people to keep it clean.
the rock in place. I understand it was convenient before because your
maintenance people would come and blow away all the debris with a power blower.
With cedar bark, it will blow everywhere and make it difficult for your
maintenance people to keep it clean.
Bark Mulch vs Woodchips
First of
all, bark mulch is not as effective as woodchips for a couple of reasons. Bark
moves around in strong wind and when “blowers” are used in the landscape. Woodchips
“lock” into place because of their rough edges and don’t move around even if
the wind speed is 60 or 70 mph! If wind
is a problem I would not use bark mulch unless you are willing to “tidy up”
afterwards.
all, bark mulch is not as effective as woodchips for a couple of reasons. Bark
moves around in strong wind and when “blowers” are used in the landscape. Woodchips
“lock” into place because of their rough edges and don’t move around even if
the wind speed is 60 or 70 mph! If wind
is a problem I would not use bark mulch unless you are willing to “tidy up”
afterwards.
 |
| Bark mulch is very attractive in landscapes but doesn’t decompose quickly and blows with any type of wind. |
Secondly,
bark mulch is pretty but it doesn’t improve the soil much. Woodchips
disintegrate into the soil when moisture is present. In my experience, about
half of it decomposes into the soil in about three years. This disintegration
supplies organic matter back to the soil quickly. Woodchips don’t do that. They
resist decomposition. That’s one important reason why bark comes from the outside of the tree and
wood doesn’t.
bark mulch is pretty but it doesn’t improve the soil much. Woodchips
disintegrate into the soil when moisture is present. In my experience, about
half of it decomposes into the soil in about three years. This disintegration
supplies organic matter back to the soil quickly. Woodchips don’t do that. They
resist decomposition. That’s one important reason why bark comes from the outside of the tree and
wood doesn’t.
Keep Your Rock Mulch
Here’s
how to keep your rock mulch and make your roses happier. Rake back the rock
mulch 18 – 24 inches from your roses. Apply about ½ inch of good quality
compost in this new area of bare soil and lightly incorporate it. Rake the
rocks back and lightly water it in. Voilà! You have now added organic matter to
the soil and made the roses happier.
how to keep your rock mulch and make your roses happier. Rake back the rock
mulch 18 – 24 inches from your roses. Apply about ½ inch of good quality
compost in this new area of bare soil and lightly incorporate it. Rake the
rocks back and lightly water it in. Voilà! You have now added organic matter to
the soil and made the roses happier.
 |
| High quality compost like Soil Pro has lots of benefits including better microorganism counts and loaded with plant nutrients. |
With
very coarse rock mulch you can just sprinkle the compost on top of the rock and
water it in. You will see improved growth from your roses in 3 to 6 months with
either method. Repeat this about every two years.
very coarse rock mulch you can just sprinkle the compost on top of the rock and
water it in. You will see improved growth from your roses in 3 to 6 months with
either method. Repeat this about every two years.
Benefits of Woodchips
What the roses benefit from is the decomposing woodchips and added organics to the soil. Rock (surface) mulch lets all the organics in the
soil finish decomposing and your soil slowly becomes more mineralized. The
organics in the soil start dwindling. As that happens, the roots of the
roses finds itself in a progressively unhappy root environment. The unhappiness of the roots show up
in the leaves with them yellowing, brown edges, and generally just not very productive.
soil finish decomposing and your soil slowly becomes more mineralized. The
organics in the soil start dwindling. As that happens, the roots of the
roses finds itself in a progressively unhappy root environment. The unhappiness of the roots show up
in the leaves with them yellowing, brown edges, and generally just not very productive.
 |
| Woodchip mulch is made from chipping the wood inside trees. Oftentimes the only way to get it is through “tree trimmers” like First Choice Tree Service. |
Don’t Forget Iron
If you still see some leaf yellowing,
apply your favorite iron chelate to the soil around them once a year in late winter (late
January or February in LV). If your favorite chelate doesn’t work then use the EDDHA
iron chelate available from Viragrow ($20/lb) or Amazon or anyplace that sells it.
 |
| EDDHA iron chelate is effective in whatever soil you have. |
During mid to late summer or later you will have to spray it on the leaves.
Viragrow is cheaper!
 |
| Iron chelates for leaf spraying is applied when most of the rose growth is finished for the season, like mid to late summer. |