Planting Bare Root Rose Bushes

Despite what some people may think, it's not very difficult to grow roses in the desert and it also does not require tons of water. I am starting my rose garden, if you want to call it that, by planting six (6) bare root rose bushes purchased for $4.97 to $6.97 each. Purchase price was determined by the vibrant or unusual coloring of the rose bushes I selected. And planting them was easier than you might think!

Timing is important when planting your roses. In the low desert the best time to plant bare root rose bushes are between January (after last frost) and early March. As usual, you'll first need to select an area that will get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, eight is preferable. Roses are more prolific bloomers when exposed to the recommended amount of sunlight.

Secondly, I took a shopping trip to my local home improvement store where along with the bare root rose bushes I purchased 1 - 10lb bag of bare root rose bush planting soil. If you don't already have a shovel, you will need one of those as well.

Here is an example of what you are looking for 


Here are the steps I took to plant each of my rose bushes:

• Run sprinkler or irrigation system to thoroughly moisten soil. This will make working the soil easier and help the roses to get established sooner and better. 
• Dig a hole twice as deep as the roots of your bare rose bush and at least 1 ft in diameter. 
• At the bottom of the hole you have just dug, pile a small mound of a 50-50 mixture of your planting bed dirt and purchases planting soil.
• Arrange the roots of you rose bush to spread out on top of this mound. Adjust mound and plant height so that the graft union will lie just below ground level. Here's a photo for better clarification

• Fill in hole around bare root rose bush with a 50-50 mixture of your planting bed dirt and purchases planting soil. Be sure to tamp down soil so that the roots are firmly pressed into the soil. 

Irrigate new rose planting daily with a watering can until you begin to see leaves budding on the rose bushes. At that time, cut back watering to every other day. When leave fully appear, cut back watering to every three to four day.

Breathe

Crashing,
The waves come over my head
I don’t think I will make it
Push, push, kick, kick, swim, swim, Bre…

You are the one
Who is supposed to save me
Yet you are the reason I drown
Push, push, kick, kick, swim, swim, Bre…

My limbs grow heavy
Too tired for me to move
I won’t make it
Push, push, kick, kick, swim, swim, Bre…

A rope hits my shoulder
I grasp it tightly
Clinging to it for life
Kick, kick, swim, swim, stretch, stretch, Breathe

I am told to sit and wait
For me you will come
Love for me you have
Down goes the sun

Day turns to night
Night turns to day
Alone I sit
Down goes my love

So much air around me
Yet none can fill my lungs
I am bereft, left abandoned
Bre…

I cried

I cried

Yes, I cried

I thought I could be strong

But that didn't last long

Eventually everything had to come out in the open.

In the middle of our intimacy it happens.

What an inopportune time?

But that is when I feel closest to you.

When I share with you what I give to no other.

"Babe, why are you crying?" you ask.

I cry all the more.

"Will you talk to me?" you say.

As tears stream down my face.

Words I never wanted to say burst forth from my lips.

"I'm afraid," I finally utter.

"I'm afraid you won't come home."

I apologize.

For my timing

My tears

My fears

And the ruined moment.

But what I thought was ruined, was not.

"I'm coming home," you tell me.

I cling to these words like a promise screamed over the swells of the rolling sea.

Your promise to me over the swell of my fear and dread.

And I will be here.

I will pray for you.

Wait for you.

Care for you.

Be there for you.

A source of strength amongst the chaos and uncertainty.

You can count and depend on me.

Your heart I hold and treasure.

As I pray you do mine as well.