As with many other aspects of pruning, deciding when the best time to prune is can be confusing for many people.

Though the general rule of thumb is to prune in spring, the best time can vary a bit from climate zone to climate zone. There are a couple of tips that can help you decide the very best time to prune your roses. In warmer zones in the south pruning can be done as early as February. In colder zones in the north it may be wise to wait until late March or even April. How to decide when is right for your area can be done easily by taking a couple of factors into consideration The first thing to take into account in choosing the best time to prune is the weather. Youll want to be sure there is no risk of severe weather such as a freeze. Pruning prior to a freeze can leave your roses prone to damage that can prevent new growth or even kill your plant. The next thing to look for is the signs of new growth. Watch for the swelling of leaf buds which shows by the bumps getting larger and turning a reddish color. When you see these buds appear, and the weather is favorable, then its the right time to prune your rose bushes. The second exception is pruning done for winter preparation purposes and is done generally in late fall or early winter, depending on the climate zone you live in. The third exception is pruning hybrid tea roses. Hybrid tea roses should be pruned when dormant, generally in December or January, depending on your climate zone. As you can now tell, the best time to prune roses is not as big a mystery as you may have thought. Making a few, simple observations can give you the information you need to make the right decision on when the best time is to prune your roses. Water Gardening There are many new trends surfacing in gardening, and water gardening is one of the main new interests. Water gardening can be in the form of waterfalls, ponds, fountains, all of which can be enhanced by rock work combinations and lighting, plants, and fish. Water gardening doesnot have to be a pond or natural water source either, it can consist of just a plastic tub, basically anything that can hold water.

The most important thing to consider in water gardening is probably the spot chosen. Since plants and fish both need plenty of sunlight, places in direct light away from trees and bushes is the best place. This will also help prevent leaves and debris from collecting in the water. When planning for a water garden first decide the size you want. This will depend on how much money you are willing to spend because water gardening can get expensive if you opt for a large garden full of plants, rocks, fish, and lights. Also consider the size of our property, and the amount of time you want to spend with maintaining your water garden. When you choose what type of aquatic plants you wish to have, remember that the plants should only cover about half of the water. Plants can be free floating, submerged, or marginal. Which you choose is all a matter of personal preference. Some plants are good for their scent, some provide more oxygen than others and will keep the pool health, and some are just beautiful. Fish are not only nice to look at but they are also very beneficial. Fish help keep debris at a minimum and help in controlling larva and other insects. One of the main difficulties in water gardening is keeping water clear of algae. Algae problems are usually caused from too many nutrients in the water from feeding fish too often or from over fertilizing plants. If ponds are made correctly and are maintained properly algae problems and control will be kept at a minimum. All garden pools regardless of size will need maintenance throughout the year. With proper planning you can ensure a healthy balance between living and decorative features of a water garden that can almost care for itself with simple maintenance inputs from you. You can get rid of algae by reducing on the nutrients that cause the algae by cutting back on feeding and fertilizing, planting more plants, installing a filter system, or replacing existing water with fresh water. There are some chemicals that can be used, like copper compounds, but overuse can kill plant life and fish. Water gardening does not take anymore time than regular gardening, but obviously isnot near the same thing. You may be the type person who couldnot grow a flower if you tried but would be excellent at water gardening. If you are looking for a way to occupy some time or to beautify your yard, water gardening is an excellent way. .