Thank you. I do see it as a challenge and am one for not giving up easily. I can spend hour upon hour doing the most monotonous task if it means getting the right result at the end of it. Much to the criticism of many who have said 'sod that. (lawn care, DIY, polishing cars etc)
A lot of the plants are very healthy and had been looked after pretty well by the previous owners too by all accounts. Even on google earth the photo in March showed well pruned bushes and mulch down. A good indicator in my book.
Replanting is a consideration despite the soil shift/removal and at least it would be to a variety of my choice too.
Given the responses to date I think roses are pretty much 'marmite' in opinion. Many gardeners love them but there are quite a number who at best do not appreciate them. A year ago I couldn't give two hoots about them either and in fact never had one in our last house despite the plot being a reasonable size either. Now it is different and one aspect I probably should not have ignored - perhaps at least a climber or two would have helped with diversity.
And Mike, I am at least half your age and well tucked up in bed at that time. Amazing and on a school day too.
I think the point is that gardening can be an enjoyable hobby and not only another household chore. If you enjoy the challenge of growing Black Spot prone roses, you go for it. . I think all that diligence and care and capability would be more productive expended in a more positive way - nurturing plants that respond to your enthusiasm rather than just trying to keep alive ones that keep wanting to die, but hey, that's just my opinion and you did ask. I do think the consistent heavy use of chemical treatments is bad for the environment and for you, and that it would be better for your patch of the land to be healthy than for you to keep those few roses alive, despite themselves, just to prove you can. If you can conquer the BS without constant dosing, then I shall stand and applaud your efforts
Last edited: 27 July 2017 10:11:00
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
As with running a house, many aspects of the garden can be deemed as household chores. You can't get away from it unless you prefer the totally natural look or have a very small garden (15 minutes each day and you're done). Larger gardens need maintenance and copious amounts of it. End of. Mowing, cutting, pruning, digging, weeding, we all know it.
I do not condone the heavy use of chemicals and would prefer not to use them. The roses have been sprayed just the once this year. Apart from a bit of feed across the board throughout the garden that is it. There is no round up or glyphosate in my shed all dealt with by hand. However in my opinion the use of chemicals is pretty much a last resort but they do have a place I feel. No doubt I will get stoned but I will be using some tonight on a wasps nest near the back door Generally live and let live but I have two young children and its got to go. Personally I can justify the use of chemicals in that instance and will be able to sleep tonight.
At the end of the day do it for the family. I know my place.
I use weed killer as needed. to get the most invasive weeds in the spirit of "damage limitation".
I do not have the time and the flexibility and strength in my joints to do much heavy work, I am trying to preserve the aging joints and dodgy tendons for a little longer, so I just do what I can.
Posts
Thank you. I do see it as a challenge and am one for not giving up easily. I can spend hour upon hour doing the most monotonous task if it means getting the right result at the end of it. Much to the criticism of many who have said 'sod that. (lawn care, DIY, polishing cars etc)
A lot of the plants are very healthy and had been looked after pretty well by the previous owners too by all accounts. Even on google earth the photo in March showed well pruned bushes and mulch down. A good indicator in my book.
Replanting is a consideration despite the soil shift/removal and at least it would be to a variety of my choice too.
Given the responses to date I think roses are pretty much 'marmite' in opinion. Many gardeners love them but there are quite a number who at best do not appreciate them. A year ago I couldn't give two hoots about them either and in fact never had one in our last house despite the plot being a reasonable size either. Now it is different and one aspect I probably should not have ignored - perhaps at least a climber or two would have helped with diversity.
And Mike, I am at least half your age and well tucked up in bed at that time. Amazing and on a school day too.
I think the point is that gardening can be an enjoyable hobby and not only another household chore. If you enjoy the challenge of growing Black Spot prone roses, you go for it.
. I think all that diligence and care and capability would be more productive expended in a more positive way - nurturing plants that respond to your enthusiasm rather than just trying to keep alive ones that keep wanting to die, but hey, that's just my opinion and you did ask. I do think the consistent heavy use of chemical treatments is bad for the environment and for you, and that it would be better for your patch of the land to be healthy than for you to keep those few roses alive, despite themselves, just to prove you can. If you can conquer the BS without constant dosing, then I shall stand and applaud your efforts 
Last edited: 27 July 2017 10:11:00
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
As with running a house, many aspects of the garden can be deemed as household chores. You can't get away from it unless you prefer the totally natural look or have a very small garden (15 minutes each day and you're done). Larger gardens need maintenance and copious amounts of it. End of. Mowing, cutting, pruning, digging, weeding, we all know it.
I do not condone the heavy use of chemicals and would prefer not to use them. The roses have been sprayed just the once this year. Apart from a bit of feed across the board throughout the garden that is it. There is no round up or glyphosate in my shed all dealt with by hand. However in my opinion the use of chemicals is pretty much a last resort but they do have a place I feel. No doubt I will get stoned but I will be using some tonight on a wasps nest near the back door Generally live and let live but I have two young children and its got to go. Personally I can justify the use of chemicals in that instance and will be able to sleep tonight.
At the end of the day do it for the family. I know my place.
I use weed killer as needed. to get the most invasive weeds in the spirit of "damage limitation".
I do not have the time and the flexibility and strength in my joints to do much heavy work, I am trying to preserve the aging joints and dodgy tendons for a little longer, so I just do what I can.
Arthritis does not recognise gardens .
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'