Missouri, United States

I am a professional writer, free lance journalist and former grass roots magazine publisher who loves naturalized gardens, which include roses and native plants. I have grown just about anything that will sprout or root and became interested in roses from my grandmothers garden in the 50's when I was just a "bud." My love for native plants sparked when I lived in the Dallas area and then I launched a magazine called The Organic Digest. It's forum was an educational clearinghouse of non-toxic goods and services and featured native plants, old roses and birding.
I relocated back to my "roots" in rural northwest Missouri in 1995 and have lived on three acres for 12 years. I am the steward for 45+ roses and my list grows and withers from year to year.
In Texas there were so many old roses growing rampant in cemeteries and abandon home sites that it really spoiled me. My traipsing through rural Missouri has not produced many speciman roses, but many old plants thumbed rides and I am a sucker for botanical hitchhikers. Then, there are always those little natives growing in remnant plots in ditches that need rescuing from the throes of the county chemical spray demons.
I grow organically, fish emulsion, Epsom salts, dried manure, bone and alfalfa meals and don't condone the purchase of salty biochems to grow anything because it doesn't render any success on either end i.e. growth or earth friendly.
My home is adjacent to a conservation area that has seven lakes, so wildlife is abundant, and they have taught me many lessons. There are many expert Rosarians who have written many "how to" articles within this forum so I choose not to repeat them. I will be submitting a series of essays called Chronicles from the Little "Earth" House on the Prairie, which will be an extension of a county newspaper column I wrote in 2002. These will focus on the "why" of my particular gardening process. I will also be submitting books reviews.
My ultimate goal is to connect with others like those authors who have enlightened my path. And as always, I will always promote first and foremost a good sense of humor!

Very experienced (55 years)

Author, Rustler

Last visit: More than a year ago