March 2008

This month's tips...

Did we really have a 51 degree day the other day or was I dreaming? Can roses be far behind? Continue to keep things covered and check on your bushes regularly. Keep shoveling snow on them as the snow continues to melt, check that covers and leaves are still doing their job, etc.

Have you made your reservations for the District meeting yet? I hope you will all join us for the meetings and arrangement seminar. (See registration info in the announcements.) Bruce and Lois Ann always do such a wonderful job at teaching us arrangements! Also think about taking the consulting rosarian test ( but I'm not sure if it may be too late to do this now, contact Diane Sommers if any questions). Join your rosie friends for an educational and good time in the Dells.

Get those rose orders in if you have not done so yet. Remember the local club sales and support your local society. Don't forget to stock up on your favorite fertilizers, mildew preventers, fungicides, etc. Go through your old stock and make a list. Order them from your local club if they sell, or from your favorite supplier. Find, sharpen and clean all your tools now. Dig out your exhibiting tool box and check that you have enough foil, tools, rubber bands, Q-tips etc. Don't forget to stock up on ARS entry tags at your local meetings. Attach your address labels (on both portions, upper and lower) now so they are ready for that first show. Go through your closet or cupboard and find and wash your arrangement containers. Better yet, buy some new mini containers from the Gateway Rose Society at the District winter meeting in the Dells!
THE POINT IS--DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN NOW TO GIVE YOU MORE TIME IN THE GARDEN WHEN THIS WINTER FINALLY ENDS! You will be happy that you did when that first rose show comes along and you find yourself prepared and organized.

One last tip, speaking of arrangement containers. I have found that one of the most successful places to find arrangement containers is junky antique shops (not the fancy ones with the high price tags), resale shops, etc. I can usually find some kind of container for just a few bucks. It doesn't really matter if there is a chip, discoloration, etc. if that part will be hidden by the arrangement anyway. Just make sure it doesn't leak. I make stops at my favorite places a few times a year and that is plenty to keep me well supplied.

-submitted by Yvonne Brault