Pruning The Roses

Pruning the roses is a huge undertaking, one the hubs and I started today. I have one rose garden that is filled with knock out roses and the arbor back by the pool has pink old fashioned climbing roses. I also starting pruning the hydrangeas and the spirea, everyone needed a lot of attention today. It was a beautiful day, the warmth of the sun was indescribable. I started the day in a sweatshirt and ended in a tank top. Everyone is sporting buds, the birds were singing and the grass is starting to turn that pretty spring green. I did take before and after pictures, so let's get to it........

before........

after.......

Close-up of one knock out after pruning,

I have a total of 5 in this garden,

you have to prune them hard in early March,

just as they begin to bud.....

Chuck needed a ladder to prune the climbing roses around the arbor.....

so thankful for the beautiful day!!!!

the unnecessary lawn ornaments we talked about here

have now found a home in the rose garden!!!!

You can also see them in the after picture above!!!!

and as an added bonus, the purple crocus bloomed yesterday......

The hubs went out before me to clean up the garage and wash the floor. I did not get a picture before he started but the transformation was dramatic, definately worthy of before and after pictures. It looks great and is super neat, clean and organized now. I do feel a tad overwhelmed by the enormity of what needs to be done outside, we have an acre of land with about 30 gardens sprinkled about. There is lot's to be done!!!!