Somehow the roses are still blooming. I guess it's still not cold enough yet around here for the roses to go into hybernation. This peticular bush has had quite a time. I planted it a couple of years ago to replace an avacado tree that didn't make it. The clay soil here makes it tough for things. Plus we had some bugs wreaking havoc. These roses are the nicest the plant has EVER produced. We've started using a product Bayer puts out that is systemetic and recently gave it a blast of malathion.
It's hard to tell but there are no bugs, no brown edges on the leaves and the fragrance is awesome. I have already trimmed back two bushes for the winter and the one I transplanted even has a new bud on it. I'll probably transplant the other one this weekend since it will be warm all week.
Also, as you can see, my new lawn area is doing rather well. This brings the four-year rottotilling and rock raking project to a close. I seeded the area at the end of October (a month late) and should fair well through the winter at the rate it is rooting. I put up a plastic fence to keep the dog out until it matures a while. By spring, I'll know if I need to re-seed a few areas or not...it's too early to tell.
The lawn seed is called "Canada Green" which I ordered online a couple of years ago. It's a designer seed designed for golf courses in Canada. They boast high-traffic, drought tolerance, and cold resistance. It should do really well here when it takes off. This area origionally was slopped towards the house a lot more than it is now. I've added gypsym, mulch, and sandy loam to the soil. Water drains like a champ in heavy rains now and is loose enough that the roots should grow fairly deep. That should make it stronger and ultimately require less water.
Now all I have to come up with is self-watering, mowing and raking....and hauling the can's to the curb. LOL