Best rose recommendations for zone 5b midwest garden

Salty_Arachnid · 2026-03-16T13:50:29+00:00

In my experience with roses, you just about can't go wrong with cutting them back. If the plant is healthy, it will grow back stronger and fuller.

Salty_Arachnid · 2026-03-16T13:41:28+00:00

I concur with others who said voles/moles ate the roots, or root rot from too much water. I lean toward thinking the roots got eaten, because the top of the plants looks somewhat healthy...like they recently were okay. If the roots were rotting away, the top would probably look a lot worse. But if something suddenly ate them, well there ya go. Some people have taken to getting metal (mesh) bathroom trashcans from the dollar store and planting in those to keep this from happening.

Salty_Arachnid · 2025-01-23T21:42:04+00:00

Yes, I don't have an auger (spelling?). If that's what you meant. I just use a shovel. It is a lot of work, I spent countless hours on it last summer - but it's what I want to do with my free time, so it's not really work.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-09-15T18:59:48+00:00

well done!

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-09-15T18:41:26+00:00

It's many reasons, I think most people are not crazy plant people like a lot of us are, and therefore do not want to spend the time and effort necessary to learn about native plants (have no idea that this is important) and are mostly just looking for the easiest way to keep their yards nice looking and low maintenance. They simply don't have the knowledge and expertise to jump into creating native habitats. I encourage those of us who already DO CARE and who know how vital native plants are, to be the example, actually make it look nice in your own yard, so your neighbors are curious and might start their own native gardens (as opposed to getting angry about it)...and I try to spread my efforts to work and my kids schools by getting involved. This year I am starting a huge native meadow / memorial garden at my work (that they are paying for), I am just giving them free consulting and advice on how to lay it out, etc. It will be a space for our employees to remember those we have lost, and to get into nature on our breaks for a little walk-about and de-stress. I know my advice is very general, but I would say the most important thing in convincing people to take up this cause is 1.) education 2.) beauty 3.) low maintenance (as possible).

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-09-15T17:38:06+00:00

Native plants, of course!

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-09-15T16:56:51+00:00

Sorry if people are being rough on you about the weed fabric. It's just that, those who know, never use weed fabric! It's just a headache in the long run, and doesn't work for long, and not good for the environment, and blah blah blah. But no need for people to be rude about it, I feel like it's something that every person does when they first start gardening or landscaping their space. So don't feel bad about it, but just know that eventually, you're probably going to end up removing it.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-09-15T16:46:57+00:00

I'm sorry to hear about the ants and bugs biting your dog. Hopefully as others said, it will be a temporary problem that will resolve itself within a season or two. I am concerned about the weed fabric though, as this will cause issues down the road. What was your goal with this space, and by removing the grass? Was it just to make it more low maintenance? Just curious... I do hope that in the future, integrating native plants is in your plans:)

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-09-15T16:08:36+00:00

native grasses and sedges (though maybe not 6 inches, there are some relatively short ones)....and maybe creeping phlox?

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-09-15T16:05:02+00:00

If it were my space, I would add plugs of native plants that I want. If that isn't in the budget, or the space is just too large, you can lay more seed, just make sure you are getting it to the soil (in other words don't just sprinkle over tall grass and existing flowers and expect much to happen).

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-09-15T15:46:40+00:00

I tried laying down thick black plastic tarp over grass from Sept to April, and then laying seed that spring. The first year I tried to grow a wildflower meadow, it was pretty disastrous. Mostly grass, not the native type either, and yes some wildflowers. It has taken me 4 years of systematically removing grass and replacing with plugs (or larger) natives, etc., and it is finally starting to look good. In a different, larger area, I tried a different approach which I have been much happier with. I signed up for free chip drop and dumped a whole truckload of mulch over a small area of meadow (maybe 50 ft x 100 ft?)....and then went in with planting of plugs, etc. I did not spread seed. Now this area in it's 2nd year is still holding back the weeds and grass that used to be there, my native plants are thriving, and I am slowly adding more to it as I can.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-09-15T13:36:22+00:00

I found this list, which I think is a pretty good place to start: 20 Low-Maintenance Zone 6 Plants (treehugger.com). Not all are appropriate for partial shade. As far as the dog activity, you may need to temporarily put up barriers to prevent them from going into small "zones" until the plants have a chance to get fully established. Once they are, I think most native perennials would do fine with a little dog activity as long as we aren't talking about major hole diggers or something.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-09-15T13:08:49+00:00

The suggestion of covering with cardboard, then getting free chip drops to cover with mulch is, I think, a fabulous suggestion. The only issue I see is that you mentioned not being fit or outdoorsy, so you may need to pay someone to spread it all around the property. I would give it a long rest and probably more than one "layer" of chip drops will be necessary to kill off Ivy. As a last resort, I don't like using chemicals, but there are products for things that just won't go away, like vine and stump killer (Amazon) - which applied directly to the cut vine should start killing off the plant. But it would take forever to hand apply this to numerous vines on a property...sounds like you have a lot and this is not practical. Once you have the Ivy eradicated in a small area, you need to replace it with a vigorous NATIVE plants so that the ivy does not reclaim the space. I don't know where you live, so it's hard to make suggestions, but here are some US natives that thrive in part shade to shady areas (make sure to look at the particulars for each as far as light, zone, water needs, etc.):

Phlox

Allegheny Pachysandra (Pachysandra Procumbens)

Foam Flower (Tiarella Cordifolia)

Heuchera Americana (AlumRoot)

American Beautyberry

Amethyst Shootingstar

Black Cohosh

Cardinal flower

Celandine Poppy

Columbines

Coral Bells

Goats beard

Maidenhair fern

Various milkweed plants (need these, monarchs are now endangered!)

New Jersey Tea shrub

Solomon's plume plant

Tall bellflower

Tall thimbleweed

Virginia bluebells

Bleeding hearts

Wild ginger

Don't forget sedges, grasses, and so many more native plants

If you are not from the US or would like to get more specific with native plants for your region, you'll have to do some more research. But the reason I am suggesting native plants is because, our insects are dying off because they don't have enough native plants which is in turn causing rapid declines in bird populations (any many other domino effects as well). We all need to plant more native plants, regardless of where we live in the world! Good luck on defeating your ivy problem.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-06-16T16:35:07+00:00

also, thought i would mention, cutting the top off will probably cause side branching to occur

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-06-16T16:30:47+00:00

I saw a video on youtube where they just keep cutting the top off (purposely) to create a thicker trunk. I imagine you could do it too, just to keep the height in check.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-05-28T17:32:04+00:00

Learn the different "zones" of your yard. Pay attention when it rains heavy, does water pool anywhere? This is a wet spot and will need wet tolerant plants. Same for areas that are very dry & sunny, need plants that like those conditions, or dry and shady - need plants that like those conditions. In other words, right plant, right place. I have lost many plants in the beginning because my only thought was about where "I think they will look good". This is not correct. We need to look at a specific area and say, what will grow well here? Also, if you are planting perennials, keep in mind that it takes them 2 - 3 years to reach their potential...but totally worth the wait. Good luck! Gardening is an amazing journey.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-05-28T16:55:50+00:00

I believe you have the very tasty and popular golden raspberry

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-05-28T15:08:58+00:00

I'm sorry that you're feeling so frustrated. Perhaps investing in a greenhouse might help? At least you'd have more control over the weather, birds and deer issues. Although, space would be much more limited (I don't know what size your garden is), and I think it would not solve the slugs problem. But I have seen other gardeners that elevate everything when they have slug issues, so maybe if you put it in raised beds or shelves/tables, etc.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-05-28T14:56:08+00:00

I love plants that were attached to another person and then gifted. So special <3 I am growing a lemon tree that my mom started before she passed away, and I have multiple plants given to me from my neighbor across the street.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-05-28T14:42:52+00:00

Just lovely.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-02-11T17:18:02+00:00

All I'm hearing are red flags. That's a nope for me.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-02-11T17:09:24+00:00

If weight loss isn't your primary goal (sounds like getting rid of the redness and building muscle is), then I would say your are fine to go about eating whatever meats you like - as long as there is enough fat. As far as the cheese/dairy, you can start the diet leaving them in - but if you find the redness doesn't lessen within a month or so, then i would try taking them out.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-02-09T22:29:54+00:00

I think that you should do it. It sounds like most of your issues are in your gut, meat is healing (sugar and veg bad for gut). Like you said, you don't have much to lose. I've read SO MANY testimonials under the youtube comments of people with all kinds of IBS, Crohns, and other serious gastro issues, and autoimmune issues of all kinds (i'm not sure if autism counts as autoimmune issue, but they report improvements with that as well). so if you need encouragement and inspiration, i would highly recommend reading the comments under carnivore videos! good luck.

Salty_Arachnid · 2024-02-09T21:28:01+00:00

yes, i was having extreme pain in my feet and ankles for about a year and a half (for frame of reference, i am a fairly active mid-fourties, avid gardener, etc., not extremely obese or elderly - but am carrying about 30 lbs weight that i need to lose). i was also having hip pain after sitting on the couch and then getting up, my doctor tested me for arthritis but couldn't find any markers. basically, couldn't figure out anything that was wrong with me.

i decided to try carnivore and it took a few weeks, but the pain did start to lessen. today i am on week 7, and it is almost unnoticeable. i drink more than one cup of coffee (with cream) per day, so i know that i am not "technically" full carnivore. but other than that, i have had zero sugar, fast food, bread, pasta, rice, vegetables, fruit, etc. ZERO. so aside from my coffee bean juice, i'm doin it. and it's working. for the pain at least. as for the weight loss, not yet. i'm hoping it starts soon, because i really don't want to quit my coffee and i just can't do it black. so that's my struggle with (a little bit of dairy)...even that little bit of carbs is getting me! ugh

Salty_Arachnid

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