brent in nova, we have some grass in the back yard! Its pretty yucky looking right with lots of yellow spots now as that is where all the contractor tools and equipment were placed while they worked on the slate patio and secret garden areas. I'm in negotiations with DH regarding adding some grass at the front curb area (up and down the street most everyone has grass in this spot and a city planted tree), but it would involve the expense of having aggregate busted out, and DH said he would have a heck of time getting sprinkler pipes to there. So far he's not going for this one... It was the contractor's suggestion to go with an ashlar pattern for the slate "rooms", my idea for the shape and the herringbone brick cantilevered step at the slider back door. scuba-gal, the secret garden is coming along so nice. I'm really enjoying getting plants and accessories for it, working with the children. DH will be roto-tilling the area, adding soil amendments to the hardpacked clay soil hopefully this weekend. Then we can start getting the smaller plants into the ground! The brick columns will look very cool with the stone ball finials- can't wait to see them there. DH will be building a curved top wood gate with a rim lock/escutcheon plate key entry. My brother has been doing all the electrical work in our yards, adding outdoor circuits and outlets for lighting, gazebo, pergola, fountains, pond(s) and the future garden railroad. careytearose

That little office is bigger than it looks. Paul and I are going to try to set up in there together and see how it goes. The cats WILL NOT be there, too close to the street. We are setting up more space at the back of the property for them. They won't be greeting anyone in the parking lot. I should be able to let them hang out with me in the office as long as they don't go out. I honestly don't think I could get anything done without them anymore! The best news for me is this property is within walking distance from my house! How cool is that? Trish

If the last one does not spread its canes for much over 6 feet long it could be a rambling type rose. It could also be a ground cover type rose. Some of those ground cover type roses even creep along and where ever the ends of their canes touch soil, they root. If that happens simply cut the cane, and you will have just allowed the new rooting to become another independant rose plant. As far as the sunscald advice goes, simply move the rose to the east side of a tall enough structure so that the rose receives morning sun and afternoon shade. Also remove the affected leaves, and discard them in the trash. Then clean the pruning tools in a manner that decontaminates them just in case it is some form of contageous disease. To go even further, you could treat the leaves and stems remaining on the plant with anti-fungal and anti-pest sprays and powders. Repeat that treatment as directed, until the rose begins producing new leaves which remain healthy looking. If your climate has been very humid this year, it would not hurt to treat all your roses as just described. Also when watering, avoid letting the leaves get wet. In morning dew on the leaves situations, monitor them to be sure the leaves dry by at least if not before midday. If not, move them to an area where they will receive more air circulation. Every thing you discover that works for your roses while they are potted should help you determine where they will prosper best after being planted.

The roses were sitting here in pots so I wasted no time in planting them. That very first smallest planter has my MARGO KOSTER polyantha and the second has my WING DING polyantha with the tiny band of EYE PAINT in back of it. Those two polyanthas some of you might remember because I bought them locally and then posted my rose haul. Also I asked about the size of MK on another thread awhile back. Then I had HAPPY CHAPPY, WILL-O-THE-WISP and CARPET OF COLOR, so I put all three in the last one. Too many for the size of the planter, will be needing to move the middle one (WILL-O-THE-WISP) probably. But I had them all dug up from the working and had to do something. I have no use for the big rock but its not the first time big rocks got dug up around here. I haven't been here too much because the roses flushed and then they rest so not much going on. They are starting to bloom again now. But I have been busy as I started on my rose moving project. I am redoing the rose garden running all along the side of my house and have already been moving roses and have lots more to go. I am SO pleased with the way this project turned out!!!!