Transporting potted roses from the nursery to home can get messy. Not to mention tricky to keep long canes from getting tangled. Most nurseries offer disposable sheets of plastic to help keep the car clean from soil spills and foliage debris. This plastic is handy, but it typically gets tossed in the trash only a matter of minutes later upon arrival at home. Rather a waste and from an environmental perspective rather ironic.
A much better idea is to reuse empty potting mix bags for transporting potted roses. Not only do they keep the car clean, they also keep the canes intact and prevent tangles and breakage. I was introduced to this clever tip by Rosemary Sawyer of Rosemary's Roses in Columbia, CA. She recycles empty potting mix bags - potted roses slip into the bags for easy transport. Such an easy and effective method! I was especially pleased the roses could be transported laying flat - stacked like sausages - into the back of my car instead of having to bend canes in order to fit them in upright. Tucked into the bags the roses traveled home like a dream - in perfect condition even after a long ride along winding country roads.
Rosemary uses 2 cubit feet SuperSoil bags, however any brand of potting mix, planting mix would work (roses don't read labels!) Other possibilities are empty bags of bark, compost or manures. Generally such bags are sturdy and after using the contents in the garden can be easily folded flat and kept for your next trip to the nursery.
A simple solution to a thorny problem.
-Beverly Rose Hopper
