Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-05-31
MuIching the Roses
Many Materials Available That Make
Cool, Moist Soil Around the Roots
By w. H. Younqmon


Roses seem to thrive best in
q cool, moist soil. Moreover,
roses that are strong growing
and are free-flowering seem to
be less appealing to insects and
disease. Even though this state
ment is only partially correct,
it puts the emphasis upon good
cultural practices. This objec-
tive may be obtained in several
ways, but the one proposed here
Is believed to be both simple
and inexpensive.
Roses may be said to be shall
low-rooted. Certainly the feeder
roots are close to the surface
and apt to be injured by all but
shallow cultivation. Moreover,
rose roots function best in cool,
moist soil. In the Washington
area. soil temperatures reach
rather high levels unless the
surface Is shaded. Because we
grow roses in the more sunny
situations the only shade for the
rose bed is that provided by the
foliage.
To avoid cultivation and to
keep the soil cool and moist the
use of a mulch is recommended.
Any form of humus (decayed
or partially decayed vegetable
matter) Is satisfactory. The
mulch should be such that it
will not blow away nor should
it encourage weed growth.
Leaves Usually Available.
Many gardeners are con-
scious of the cost of mulching
materials and say they can't
afford the price. This is open
to challenge. Dried grass clip
pings are usually available and
if applied thickly enough will
both check weed growth and
will keep the soil cool enough.
On occasion the author has
gone into the woods and scraped
up leafmold to cover a rose
bed. Sawdust is usually avail
able for the hauling and is a
good mulch. Ground tree prun-
ings are sometimes to be had
for the asking. There are few
yards that do not have leaves
which can be partially COM
posted during the winter and
used as a mulch the following
summer.
These are only a few of the
materials obtainable in this area
which may be used in covering
the rose bed, which will make
rose culture not only easier but
infinitely better.
The depth of the mulch will
vary with the material used.
Ground corncobs should be put
on over an inch thick to pre-
vent weed growth. Chopped hay
needs to be spread to a depth
of 2 inches or more to accom-
plish the same purpose. Wet
peatmosS is usually effective at
less than an inch in depth. Other
materials should be applied to
a depth which will prevent weed
growth in the bed and insulate
the soil so that it's temperature
will be favorable to good growth.
Such a mulch will likely conserve
moisture and permit the roses
to function properly all sum-
mer.
Nitrogen for Balance.
Bacteria are usually active in
the mulching materials and it is
important to see that they do
not rob the soil. In other words,
bacteria need nitrogen to bal
ance their diet while feeding on
the mulch materials, usually de-
f1clent in protein materials.
Whenever this deficiency be-
comes pronounced the plants
show a following of the foliage.
1t is possible to calculate the
amount of nitrogen needed but
most gardeners will find that the
addition of the ordinary 5-10-5
after spreading the mulch will
provide sufficient nitrogen for
the bacteria.
A close check on the rose fol-
iage during the season will show
how effective the application is