Rose Cuttings – October, 2007

Keep your windows clean, as I feel that the best vantage point of a Texas garden in July is from the inside of your house, looking out!

Harvest mint leaves to make your tea more refreshing. If you have a vegetable garden, continue to enjoy the fruits of summer. Cucumber and dill make for refreshing side dishes to all the barbeque served on the 4th of July. Hill Country peaches now available and make for delicious and cool ice cream.

The chile pepper was made popular to eat in Mexico because the heat from the capsicum makes you sweat, thereby cooling you off. Add chiles to any fresh tomato dishes you can make this time of year.

In addition, peruse catalogues and place orders for fall shipping. Fall is the best time to plant bulbs, roses, perennials and containerized trees and shrubs. It may be hot now, but it won’t be long before our Texas weather gives way to cooler temperatures. Texans are lucky to have another growing season on the horizon as we march toward fall.

About the author: Mike Shoup is owner of the Antique Rose Emporium. Visit ARE’s Web site at www.weAREroses.com, and their Brenham and San Antonio display gardens for endless ideas on landscaping with roses.