Sherry, one thing I've noticed about your garden is how fast your roses grow, and I've read about your soil prep so I know how much you rely on organics, manure, etc. Just the difference in the Natch N pictures makes me wonder if the bloom problems in the second pic were because of fertilizer needs. Your good soil prep and and climate seem to be so conducive to growth, that coupled with your sandy soil and constant rain lately, that I wonder if the N is being depleted really quickly, so something like a fast acting nitrogen is a good fix for right now. Makes me think that your feeding program next year needs more N overall...? I have been using Milorganite; some people don't like it because of suspicions about heavy metals, etc., but my roses sure like it. Anyway, just a thought. just one more anecdote, Hermosa for me started getting those washed out blooms like your NN. I got so disgusted that I cut it down to 6 inches and started feeding it Miracle Grow frequently. It snapped out of it, regained its lost growth and the bloom color went back to normal. That is purely anecdotal, but it makes me wonder if that's what caused the NN problems too. I don't know, just thinking aloud, so you know what that's worth! Love ya, Gean

He's in a large pot since he'll be going with me when we move. He's sitting there amongst some grasses, geraniums, other stuff by the studio doors....I sure do like this guy....

bobbi socal: way to GO! The gardeners who have helped me the most (in real life, as I'm a newcomer here) are those who have the humility that comes with learning from 'mistakes' - and admitting that gardening is a work in progress with the greatest lessons learned when we get it wrong to learn why & then how to get it right. Some stories are hilarious when you look back on them (I planted a camellia bush with growth potential of 14' x 14' in a narrow border; it did grace me with surviving its inevitable transplant. What was I thinking!). It's the sharing of successess and 'mistakes' that helps everyone who comes here. Now here's a question for you: what's YOUR biggest mistake (and talk about your greatest victory, too!) Hi dryad! Soil is everything. Talking dirt takes on a whole new meaning! I'm so lucky where I live that seaweed (the almost perfect plant food which we mix into our very sandy soil (that's when it isn't rock) ) is free for the taking. After one of our many windstorms here there are many of us gardening fanatics loading up on the beaches at low tide. Sue

I don't think that was it ,evelyn. These were made from upside down wire baskets with a bunch of strands of doo dads & mirrors hanging down . I can drag mine out & Take a pic if you'd like.