[mickwood]

The plot is cleared and now it's time to do some planning!

I have put in 3 beds already and have left approx 18 inches/2 foot between the end of the beds and a new metal fence. My question is, can I plant climbing/rambling roses in that space, to cover the fence, without compromising the soil in the bed (ie. will the roses 'rob' the beds of nutrients etc?)

Thanks

[compostqueen]

I would have thought so as some veggies don't need much in the way of nutrients to be successful.  Anyway, you have endless supplies of chicken poop with which to feed the roses and the run off will find its way into the adjacent bed.  Be careful about which rose you plant as you don't want a Rambling Rector all over the place 

[mickwood]

Any suggestions about particular types?? I know nowt about roses other than they will cover an ugly metal fence! (about 20m long, 8 foot high)..to be honest I know nowt about any of this growing business!! lol!

Obviously I'd be digging a geep hole, part filling with well rotted horse manure, planting the rose then possibly top dressing with more manure?

[compostqueen]

the sizes of the height and spread of the rose will be given on the label. You could Google a rose site, like Harkness, and they suggest roses by the prompts you type in eg colour, height etc.

There is a fab rose nursery at Middle Handley, between Chesterfield and Eckington. Family-run place where they breed roses under licence from the big breeders, such as Harkness and David Austin, but cheaper    They will have a climber for your situation and are happy to give you all the info you wish.   It's called Handley Roses    I get there via Barrow Hill

I love Gertrude Jekyll, a bright pink tidy one (not really a climber at all I don't think, just a tallish rose) 

[mickwood]

Compost queen, THANKS!! I've just rang them and they seem to have loads...I'm on my way up there now 

[compostqueen]

they used to run their chickens in wire mesh enclosures around all their roses, don't know if they still do 

[blackbob]

The plot is cleared and now it's time to do some planning!

I have put in 3 beds already and have left approx 18 inches/2 foot between the end of the beds and a new metal fence. My question is, can I plant climbing/rambling roses in that space, to cover the fence, without compromising the soil in the bed (ie. will the roses 'rob' the beds of nutrients etc?)

Thanks

you should be ok,just keep the fertility of the bed high.fish blood and bone meal.

[mickwood]

ooh eck...I said this thing was addictive...

2 rambling and 2 climbing roses
tayberry plant
thornless blackberry plant
4 raspberry plants
blackcurrant bush

only went to have a look....  :happy:

[mumofstig]

ooh eck...I said this thing was addictive...

2 rambling and 2 climbing roses
tayberry plant
thornless blackberry plant
4 raspberry plants
blackcurrant bush

only went to have a look....  :happy:

That's about right for 'just looking'............it's worse when you actually go to buy something

[compostqueen]

Well done Mick.  They're very nice peeps there and really know and love roses. You should go back in the summer when the place is in full bloom   

[mickwood]

Thanks CQ, yeah, I'll definitely be back! Was good to find a local(ish) place which knows it's stuff, doesn't charge a fortune and actually knows about what they're selling!

I've just gotta wait for what I think will turn out to be a pretty AND practical allotment now 

Thanks for the heads up CQ XXX

[compostqueen]

I noticed that at Chelsea they were bigging up rose Gertrude Jeykll.   I'm moving soon but I think I'll be taking mine with me, along with a few others