Margaret, I was afraid someone was going to tell me that (to test the ph). That's one of those things I lump into the "maintenance" category under "things I hate". I will try to force myself to do it, but don't be suprised if I don't. Thanks! Alice seyfried@oclc.org -----Original Message----- From: Margaret Lauterbach [SMTP:mlaute@micron.net] Sent: Monday, October 13, 1997 11:05 AM To: gardeners@globalgarden.com; 'gardeners@globalgarden.com' Subject: Re: [gardeners] Lurkers come out At 10:25 AM 10/13/97 -0400, Seyfried,Alice wrote: > I hate winterizing, maintenance and >pruning; three things hybrid tea roses can't live without. > >Thanks! >Alice in London, Ohio (zone 6) >seyfried@oclc.org > Hi, Alice. Don't feel too bad about ripping out your roses. Just telll yourself and others that you wanted to see how other things grew. Llama manure should be great, especially applied this fall. I wouldn't add anything else but the leaves this fall. It might be a good idea in spring to at least test the pH of the soil to make sure it's not extremely acidic (below 6.0, for instance). Margaret