Too Much of a Good Thing

"SOILS"

by Eddie J. Garcia 
Proper soil mix, without doubt, is the most important investment you will make in growing healthy, strong, prolific roses.  Following the advice of one of SARS charter members and a great rose exhibitor, Robert (Red) Huff ~~ in my starting days of growing roses ~ he told me “never plant a rose in a 50 cent hole”.  By that, he meant you should make soil a top priority if you want to be successful at rose growing.

The basic formula is 1/3 coarse sand, 1/3 clay, and 1/3 decomposed organic matter. When mixed together, they provide a soil mixture that is light and friable, doing what you want it to do. This is known as loam, and is what you should do to change your existing soil.

In our area, in most yards