On Thu, 03 Apr 2003 02:50:06 GMT, "Susan Solomon"
wrote:

Maybe I should just stick with preemergent and bark mulch??!!

Anyhow, the idea still sounds great, and I think I'd still like to try it.
How thick should the paper shreddings be? Just barely covering the dirt, or
covering it thickly? Should I redo this paper mulch under the bark every
year? And do you rake off the bark and save it, or do you till it in? How
about the paper? Should I discard the old paper shreddings and put down new,
or just leave the old and put down more?

Don't get weed killer anywhere near your roses! That is insane. It
can kill them.

In fact you don't need any insecticides, herbicides or fungicides for
mulching your roses. PERIOD.

The newspaper idea will work, but with a few changes:

1) Don't shred the paper, but put it down in moderately thick sheets,
layering all over the ground where you don't want anything to pop
through.

2) Next, cover the newspaper thoroughly with bark mulch. If the
newspaper is fully covered with mulch, it will remain moist from your
regular rose waterings, and slowly break down, even in your dry
climate. If it is exposed to the air, it won't break down.

3) Water and fertilize normally

Another great way to mulch roses is to use a thick layer of garden
compost covered with any type of mulch. (Pine needles, bark, nut
hulls, whatever.)

Bob Bauer
Zone 6 in Salt Lake City
http://www.rose-roses.com/