My favourite nursery rhyme goes like this: "Mary Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow…" Queen Mary, for whom the rhyme is about, was a staunch Catholic and the garden referred to is an allusion to graveyards which were increasing in size with those who dared to continue to adhere to the Protestant faith. However, as a child I remember the enchantment was more about flowers plants and lush green grass. It was this kind of memory that bloomed my interest in making things grow.

The most effective way to make your garden grow and bloom is to learn how to plant and care for Roses. Roses can be expensive to both buy and grow, so making sure you have the right knowledge combined with the right tools is ever important. A good hose reel, for maximum watering with minimum fuss is a hideaway hose reel.

According to experienced Rosarians (professional rose-growers), there are a number of factors involved in growing and exhibiting an award-winning rose.

Rose Planting Guide

Roses come in three types of packaging.
-Plantable box
-Packaged
-Potted or Container

Which packaging you choose is based on your garden needs. You will find boxed and packaged roses are better to tackle earlier in the season. Potted roses are available when the weather becomes a little warmer and so better for later planting. Follow these easy instructions on how to plant your Roses. If you can dig a hole, you can plant a Rose.

It's just as easy to plant a Rose as it is to plant perennials, annuals or any other outdoor plants. However, the direction for planting your plantable box, package and container / potted roses will vary, it's very simple. First, read the instructions (if supplied) then follow the next easy steps to digging, planting, and watering your garden

FIRST: Prepare your rose bed by spading deep. Spading is simply digging a hole with a flat head shovel. For each plant dig a hole approximately 14 - 20" wide and deep depending on the size. Add organic matter and mix well with the existing soil. Organic matter is usually in the form of manure, shredded leaves, or peat moss (shredded leaves are cheapest if you can collect and store them yourself). If not, your nearest nursery or farm will have the next best thing.

NEXT: Carefully take your rosebush from the container. Remove any broken or injured roots or canes and canes less than pencil-size in thickness. Position the rose on soil pyramid so the bud union (swelling at the stem base) is just above the ground level. In climates where the winter temperature falls below 0°F, it is best to position the rose 1" to 2" inches lower.

Work soil mixture around the box to eliminate any air pockets. Add more soil until the hole is three quarters full. Fill the hole with water and allow it to soak in, then refill again with water. After the water drains check to see if the bud union remains at the proper level. Fill the remainder of the hole with soil.

Make sure you water the rosebush well. For your own safety and convenience we recommend an innovative compact hide away hose reel, they're simple to use and keep the garden and shed nice and tidy.

It's that simple!

Rose Growing Guide:

Once planted, the next important stage is nurturing them into strong growth. Firstly you should have picked varieties of roses that do well in your local area. To determine which are best, you can contact a local rose society or nursery.

There are many pests, both insect and fungus, which love to infest your roses, so make sure you spray to prevent the fungal diseases rather than trying to eradicate them after they appear. When insects do appear, follow label directions on all chemicals you use.

Provide water. A large rose bush may need as much as 10 gallons of water each week, but be careful if there is not adequate drainage. You should water overhead early in the day when the leaves have adequate time to dry before nightfall. This helps prevent black spot.

Once established, fertilize the plant with a 20-20-20 fertilizer every three weeks beginning at the end of May and continuing to August. And you should make sure the plant is well-watered before fertilizing.

Planting is easy with our guide, watering is simple with a compact hideaway hose reel.

All you need now is some warm days and a little patience and for sure you will make your garden grow though hopefully not in the same spirit of Queen Mary!