Rose Lovers Rejoice!

We're celebrating the wonderful world of roses this Saturday, June 2nd at our second annual Rose Rally.

You'll have an opportunity to enter to win a gorgeous rose for your garden, have your questions answered by The Maine Rose Society from 9am - 2pm, and also save 15% on our entire selection of roses.

Roses can be a beautiful addition to your garden that provide not only vibrant color but also delightful fragrance for many years. For the best possible results, we recommend the following steps be taken before planting to prepare your site for your new addition.

Selecting a Site

Roses need lots of sun, especially in cooler climates, so choose a site with 5 or 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Air circulation is also very important. Make sure not to plant your roses right up next to a building - two feet away from the foundation is generally a good rule of thumb.

Soil

Since roses send roots that are deep and wide, if your soil is so hard that you have trouble getting a spade in it, the roots will also have a hard time trying to penetrate the soil.

Alternatively, if your soil is very sandy and loose, it will have a hard time holding onto food and water.

You want something in between - rich dark brown in color, with an earthy smell. The best way to achieve this is by adding lots and lots of organic matter like leaf mold, peat moss, manure or compost to properly amend your soil.

Planting

Once the site has been selected and the soil has been prepared, it's time to plant!

The first step is to dig a hole at least twice as big as the pot. To help nuture the roots, an amendment such as Bone Meal or Super-Phosphate can then be added to the bottom of the hole and mixed with roughly an inch of the original soil. Carefully remove the plant from its pot and set it in the hole, making sure that the top of the soil is at the same level as the surrounding soil. Backfill your hole with potting soil and add a treatment of organic fertilizer before soaking the plant thoroughly.

Proper watering and continued fertilization should be adhered to, especially during the infancy of your new rose, but by following these steps you'll be well on your way to a lush rose bush that can be enjoyed for a long time.

Sod Installation Guide

Are you looking to improve your lawn immediately?

Cultivated turf allows you to enjoy a lawn of instant beauty and maturity without the usual time-consuming hassles of seeding.

Your new sod lawn will also increase your property value significantly. With proper care, it will remain a great asset, providing beauty, a clean playing surface and an improved environment.

To install a new sod lawn, follow these steps:

Step 1 - Measuring & Ordering

With a tape, measure the area of your planned lawn. Include these measurements on a sketch of the lawn area along with the length, width and any unusual features. We will be happy to assist you in determining the amount of turfgrass sod you will need from your sketch.

Schedule your order for delivery after the prepatory work is completed and you are ready to install. Prompt installation on the day of delivery is crucial to a strong beginning for your lawn.

Step 2 - Soil Preparation

For best results, rototill or spade the area to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. You can eliminate drainage problems by having the soil slope away from foundations.

Rake in fertilizer, lime, peat, or compost as needed to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. A soil test from a qualified service in your area can help determine the amount these ammendments.

Rake and smooth the soil while removing any rocks, roots and large clods, then roll the area lightly with a lawn roller 1/3 full of water. This will firm the soil surface and reveal low areas that need more soil. Keep the grade 1 inch below any sidewalks or driveways.

Water the prepared area to settle the soil and provide a moist base for the turf. Moistening to a depth of 6 inches is recommended for most soils but feel free to contact us regarding your specific soil needs.

Step 3 - Turf Installation

Install your new lawn immediately upon delivery and begin watering within 30 minutes of installation. Turf is a living plant that requires ground contact and moisture to survive!

In hot weather, you can protect unlaid turf by placing stacks in the shade and covering them with moist burlap sacking.

Begin installing your turf along the longest straight line, such as a driveway or sidewalk. Butt and push the edges and ends against each other tightly without stretching and avoid gaps or overlaps. Stagger the joints in each row in a brick-like fashion, using a large sharp knife to trim corners. Avoid leaving small strips at outer edges as they will not retain moisture. On slopes, place the turf pieces across the slope.

To avoid causing indentations or air pockets, avoid repeated walking or kneeling on the turf while it is being installed or just after watering.

After installing the turf, roll the entire area to improve turf to soil contact and remove air pockets.

Step 4 - Watering

Give your new lawn at least 1 inch of water within 1/2 hour of installation, then water daily, or more often, to keep the turf moist until it is firmly rooted (about 2 weeks). Less frequent and deeper watering should begin after this period.

Weather conditions will dictate the amount and frequency of watering, but be certain that your new lawn has enough moisture to survive hot, dry, or windy periods. Areas near buildings where reflected heat dries the turf should be watered more often.