Just enjoying the first week without classes or papers or exams and making lots of jewelry. I better start selling some of this stuff--otherwise it's a much too expensive hobby. And I need to do some work in the garden, too, but it's so much easier to sort beads. I just had a phone call from the Director of the Honors Program and it seems I missed the wrap-up luncheon on Wednesday. I guess I am enjoying this time off a little too much this week, and I do regret missing what is always a good lunch--and of course, talking about the successes and problems of the semester (yeah, right). Graduation is Sunday and I always love graduation, either to applaud those who have made it and made it successfully and, less delightful, to wonder how some made it at all. The days are getting longer, warmer, and we need a bit of rain. I shouldn't complain because so many folks are practically drowning in rain. The kittens are almost 11 months old and I love them more every day, though I do with Darcy would stop climbing drapes. On the other hand, she is a relentless killer of the mice I didn't know we had.

The good news is that synthetics, used reasonably, do not harm soil critters. Really the only way to harm soil critters with synthetic nutrient sources is to overapply significantly which results temporarily in salt levels in the soil going through the roof. This hurts plants too ;) Similar toxicity can result from ammonia in the soil when using uncomposted organic matter such as some manures. It's really a question of dosage, but when used in reasonable, moderate amounts the soil life will be just fine. Anyway, one problem you might be having with organic fertilizers is you may not be using enough. Most organic matter is very low in nutrients compared to synthetics. This means more needs to be used. For example you might find a bag of organic fertilizer labeled as 4-4-4, but it's pretty easy to find something like Miracle Grow as 20-20-20. In other words it's got 5 times the nutrient concentration as the organic 4-4-4 does. Also consider that water solubles like MG are recommended to be applied every couple weeks. Anyway, one recommendation I will pass along that I have heard about that makes sense to me (but I never tried as I don't have a sand soil) is to incorporate leaves into the soil. Probably not practical with roses already planted I know. It's not that the leaves add a lot of nutrients, it's that buried in the soil they tend to last a few years and help hold onto nutrients and water slowing the leech rate. Since you know the MG is doing the trick for your roses you kind of have to make a call. Would you rather use a synthetic that you know works and is cheap and easy or go through some more effort and expense and increase the amount and frequency of your organic material additions? Also keep in mind it doesn't have to be an all or nothing approach. You could continue adding modest amounts of organic matter each year to assist the soil in being as healthy as it can be and supplement with Miracle Grow (or a different synthetic) on an as needed basis. Perhaps you will find that over the years the frequency you need to use synthetics will decrease due to the regular additions of organic matter slowly building up a more plant hospitable soil environment. Please do not worry about the judicious use of synthetic nutrient sources adversely affecting soil critters though, it simply doesn't happen. Lack of organic matter as well as heavy use of fungicides/pesticides (including many organic ones) is what harms soil life.

I have space issues so I grow teas and chinas in pots over here. If you get them own root they don't get as large which helps when growing in pots. I get my roses via mail order. Duchesse du Brabant, Lady Hillingdon, Clementina Carbonieri and Tipsy Imperial Concubine are good teas that do well in pots for me. I am planning on adding Francis Dubreuil, Baronne Henriette de Snoy and Etoile de Lyon or Perle des Jardins. Louis Phillippe and Cramoisi Superieur are two great chinas that I have in pots too. Check out the Antique Rose Forum here on GW for more suggestions and nurseries to order these great roses for our climate.

Gardener73, they are used in a traditional ceremony on the Holy Week in the Orthodox Christian Church. You read right, this year the Orthodox Holy Week is the last week of April. Our priest likes to follow all of the traditional ways, so he really likes to use fresh leaves. Judging by the difficulties I experience getting them, at least some other Orthodox churches in this country must be using dry ones. But it's really the last resort, and I am determined to get fresh ones.