February Rose Stroll~

Welcome to our February " Rose Stroll," month of all things roses.

Depending on where you are , I doubt your roses look like the ones in the photo...mine sure doesn't, but come spring/early summer the most fizzled of rose gardens will come alive and continue to delight us far into the fall...if, we take the right steps early. ( the photo here is the "Julia Child" and grows in my hubby's rose garden.

Roses ( according to my history ) originated in China and spread via trade routes through India, Persia, and into the Middle East and Europe.
They are the most celebrated species of flower across many cultures and are grown in countless modern species and varieties.

The 3 oldest and most sought after of the 'old' roses are the Damask, the Cabbage, and the Apothecary's rose. The damask grows in Bulgaria and Morocco. The cabbage in France and North Africa, the apothecary's rose in France. They are all highly scented and not as perfectly shaped as the modern roses.

Rose plant parts are used in culinary, medicinal,  perfumery and aromatherapy ways.

From a rose-hip tea to a fine rosewater splash...it is one of the finest and most beneficial herbs among us.

Like most plants, your location, your soil conditions, and your knowledge of how to care for them will dictate your success and the final look of your project.

This month we will explore as many varieties as you wish to know about.

My preference is of course the antique roses...Madame Plantier being my all time favorite. It will grow in zones 3-8 and needs full sun.
The spread is about 5 feet and height will reach 20." It grows beautifully on a fence or trellis.
You'll get pretty little pink buds that burst into white or creamy white blooms. They also grow well as a hedge or shrub border.
The fragrance from this rose is sweet and light.
Blooms in mid summer but the foliage is a treat both before and after the blooming season.

We can start preparing our soil now if it wasn't started in the fall months.
My soil is wet right now, so the only thing to do with wet soil is layer a good spread of dry compost across it and leave alone until the soil has dried to a easily workable state...a crumbly mass that doesn't ball up when squeezed in your hand.

Good compost is all you need in addition to good workable soil to plant roses.

Antique roses are not as easy to find as hybrids...so if you are planning to use antique/old roses-now is the time to get your orders in to a choice mail order company that specializes in such...they will ship when your planting time is right.

I'm looking forward to your participation....

Have a Rosy day~
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com/

Day's Of Rain And Roses~

Doesn't quite bring the urge to dance as the old and lovely song of   "Day's Of Wine And Roses." That's for another day :)

Roses can be simple and uncomplicated or, they can be a royal pain in the gardeners upkeep log.

I have learned a few tricks ( facts ) that will lessen the risk of unwanted issues.

If you mulch around your roses during the winter months, and you get a lot of rain...it is a good idea from time to time to pull back the mulch and allow the soil to breathe and dry out a bit.

Mulch can and does invite insects and critters to set up a warm and cozy retreat during the colder time of year.

Too much wet mulch can cause mildew and rot...so keep a close watch on your rose gardens during the winter, and especially during rainy months.

This is the time to bone up on rose gardening do's and dont's...we often forget that each species may and often times do, require different types of care.

Know your roses and your success will flourish.

And yes, roses are in the herb family...nothing as good as a cup of Rose-hip Tea.

Stay tuned...I'll be doing a series of "Rose Articles" through the month of February.  We have plenty of time to study, share, and learn...**do nothing for, or to, your roses until April....**

Hope to see you right here for the "Rose Stroll"...I'll be posting Monday's and Thursday's-chime in anytime, ask questions, offer your ideas and practices...it's free and fun~

Don't forget to stock up on all your tea's and seasoning's now at the Sage Hill website.http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com/

A new and very exciting avenue from Sage Hill...we have opened an E-bay store.  Hubby and I both have been antique dealers for 20+ years, we are embarking on sharing our precious collections with  new home's. Do tour the store and your thoughts are welcome....ask questions if you have them. Let me know if I can be of help in any way.
http://stores.ebay.com/Sage-Hill-Collectibles

Thanks,

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
Sage Hill Farms
EatWell-BeWell~

A Snowy-Friday the 13th~A Good and Beautiful Thing

Sage Hill has the first snow of the season this Friday13...a good thing, I love the trees with snow in the branches. It seems to bring a slowing of the mind, the body, and the 'traffic.' :)

Our planning for the spring gardens and other additions to the farm scene are well underway.

I trust you are planning a spring garden, fresh grown foods are the best way to have the proper nutrition for you and your family.

Need help getting started ? I'm a call or email away. You will also find many helpful articles on the website and by researching this blog archive.
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com/

The best of 2012 and Friday the 13th...EatWell-BeWell~

Bea Rigsby-Kunz

By The Light of the Silvery Moon~for more than dancing

Planting and harvesting by the moon phases is not a new/recent guide to successful crops....I grew up watching my family use this method, and knowing it was passed on from another/other generations before them.

As the Moon revolves around the Earth every 28 days, it reflects different amounts of sun depending on its angle toward the light of the sun.  

The theory is that increasing moonlight is best for annuals that bear their fruit above ground, and decreasing moonlight is best of those that are root crops. The full moon and the new moon are considered "barren" signs when no planting should be done at all, and planting should not be done on Sundays or on the first or last quarter days for similar reasons.

This is one main reason why planning is the most important step in gardening/farming...be it small or commercial size-understanding the phases as applied to growing, takes some study and understanding of the reasons why.

I've hear it said...'plant it and it will grow.' This may be true to a large extent...but how well it grows and produces depends on a well designed and executed plan of action.

My favorite study guide is the long standing 'Farmers Almanac'...been reading this little book since I was 10 or so. :)
http://www.almanac.com/
They even have a section for children, a great project for family's to study together.

We all live by the astrological truth--whether we embrace it or not. Just one of those facts that was here before we were, can't redesign it or toss it out. Once we get comfortable with it, understand, and embrace it as a much needed tool...it's like having another degree in your education package. And...it is so much fun and comforting to know that some of the work/decisions, have already been made for us.

Do share your thoughts...for or not...

Have a magical kind of day...nature is nothing less than magic :)

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
Sage Hill Herb Farm
Tennessee
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

* Remember to add herbals to your winter lifestyle-builds and protects the immune system-nasty germs hate strong immune systems !