Can you believe that summer is halfway over already? This year has been extremely challenging due to the extremely long heatwave followed by extreme thunderstorms. What will next year have in store for us?

The 2024 Atlanta Rose Show

I want to thank everyone who helped out and participated in the production of a marvelous 2024 Rose Show. It was a massive success. Melissa Bader did a fantastic job as the show chair and really raised the bar. Please refer to the excellent article by Tom Oder(GARS Secretary) later in this issue, where he briefs us on the upcoming Rose Shows in 2025 and 2026 and future changes.

Volunteer Gardening day

Second, the next volunteer gardening day in the rose garden at The Carter Center will be on Saturday, August 17 from 9 – 12. Please try to attend if you can. We will be doing general garden maintenance and deadheading the roses in the garden. If you have any questions, please reach out to Christopher : christopher@christopherhuffer.com.

Roses in Review

Deadline: September 26, 2024

It’s that time of year again for the annual Roses in Review. This handbook gives you a rating for newer roses across the nation and the ratings are compiled from our reviews of roses that we grow. This year marks Roses In Review’s 99th time the American Rose Society members will evaluate new rose introductions. The more reviewers we have, the more accurate the ratings are. It does not matter if you grow one variety on the list or many. If you have no roses on the list you should still participate by registering and checking the block that indicates that. This evaluation is not just for exhibitors, but also for anyone who grows roses. You do not need to be an ARS member to participate. When you’re ready to start reviewing to to “Roses in Review” on the American Rose Society website. You can even watch a tutorial on how the review process works. If you prefer to complete a paper form, one can be found in the next issue of American Rose magazine.

Not an ARS member and you want to complete a paper form?

Contact Joseph Wood, Deep South District RIR Coordinator at josephwood1@mac.com.

Next GARS meeting

Our next in-person meeting will be September 14, 2024 at 10am, Roswell Public Library.

Worm Composting — GARS Organic Gardening Series

We welcome our very own Jessica Jordan, Consulting Rosarian. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US, “food is the single largest category of material placed in municipal landfills, where it emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.” So how do we keep our food waste out of the landfills? Jessica will teach you how to put worms to work and turn those kitchen scraps into compost your roses with love! I look forward to seeing everyone there!

With compliments,
Christopher