Compost is decomposed organic material used as a soil amendment to increase the organic content in soil. Nutrients in compost are returned to the soil, often eliminating the need for additional fertilizers in your garden. By utilizing yard and kitchen scraps, you can create your own black gold by letting Mother Nature work her magic.

Click below for an excellent article and video by Better Homes and Gardens that outline how to make your own compost!

How to Make Compost 

Did you know that the City of Calgary makes compost from the Green Cart Program? Compost is available free of charge to residents. For more details see ​Green Cart Compost

​​I have found that roses listed as hardy in zones 4 and warmer require winter protection in Calgary. There are several methods that can be used:

1. Rose Cone
Rose cones are cone-shaped Styrofoam covers that are placed over the rose for the winter season. They are suitable for smaller sized roses, are fairly inexpensive, and very easy to use. These are available at stores like Canadian Tire or garden centers.

Cut several one-inch holes into the cone to provide ventilation for the rose and ensure the temperature inside the cover does not become excessive. Mound some soil around the base of the rose to provide additional protection for the roots. Place the cone over the rose and secure with a rock or other heavy object to ensure it does not blow away. That's it, you're done.

When native trees start to bud in the spring, it is time to remove the rose cone and excess soil that was placed around the crown of the shrub in the fall. The rose may require some pruning. Wait until the rose starts growing to see if there are any dead branches, or if shaping is required.

2. Chicken Wire Cage
For roses of a larger stature, create a circular cage made of chicken wire that will fit around the rose. Again, mound some soil around the base of the rose for added root protection. The chicken wire can be lined with burlap to hold the contents in. Then fill the cage with leaves, straw, or bark chip to insulate the stems. 

Remove the cage and contents in the spring as described above for rose cones.

3. Container Grown Roses
I grow my tender roses in containers in the summer. This way I can ensure they can be moved around to receive maximum sun in my yard, and I've really run out of room in my garden for roses. 

Remember, plants grown in containers will require more frequent watering and fertilization than plants grown in the ground. Ensure your roses are well-watered leading up to frost because once the soil is frozen, you can't add any additional water for uptake by the plant.

Once winter comes (usually November) I move my roses into my unheated garage, up against the house. I leave them there until spring and then bring them back into the yard. I used this method for three David Austin roses which are zone 5 and it worked for me last year. I did lose one rose however.  








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​4. Treat Them as Annuals
If you don't like to baby your plants, then you can always treat tender roses as annuals in our climate. They can be grown in the ground or in containers. At the end of the season if you do nothing, the rose will probably die over the winter. In the spring, you can replace it with another tender rose or whatever suits your fancy. 

Winter is a great time to daydream and plan next season's garden.  There are several new selections of roses coming to market in 2016 that may interest you.  With the popularity of the Downton Abbey® series, two roses have been developed to honor the show.

The first in the Downton Abbey rose series, Anna's Promise is a gorgeous grandiflora rose.  The fragrance is fruity and the blooms are a striking combination of golden tan and pink blush with a bronze reverse.  

This rose is listed as hardy in zones 4-10 so will probably require winter protection in Calgary. See my blog article on winter rose protection coming soon.

The second rose in the Downton Abbey series, Pretty Lady has large, showy, ruffled blooms reminiscent of a flapper dress.  Sweetly scented, the blooms are an intense pink with a high petal count.  

​This rose is listed as hardy in zones 3-10, but it is a hybrid tea rose which doesn't tend to be winter hardy in Calgary.  I suggest additional winter protection for this variety until experience proves otherwise.

The Party Hardy rose is not a Downton Abbey rose, but a new hardy shrub rose developed for colder climates.  The old-fashioned, double blooms are produced in profusion throughout the season on a 4' high shrub. An excellent choice for cottage gardens, this new rose deserves a place in your landscape.

​This rose is listed as hardy in zones 3-10 so should not require additional winter protection.