I'm from Central Wisconsin and even though we've had a mild winter so far, its still a long time till spring and I'm itching to get back in the yard. I start planning my gardens this time of year and hope to get new ideas. I plant mostly ornamentals -both perennials and annuals. I am zone 4. This year I plan to try my hand at roses. I would like to put in two raised beds. Found a plastic raised bed with a greenhouse cover. Thought the cover might be good for this area since early and late frosts are common. Has anyone had any experience with these? Also, any advice on roses would be appreciated. What are good companion plants for them. I've been following this forum for a couple months and would like to join in the conversation.

Wlcome aboard
I'm out west in oregon..Roses love all kinds of plants around them, mine have sedums, coral bells,
sometimes petunia's, pansy's and others, but keep in mind they like a clear around their base too..
Keep in mind out here roses are almost a weed ,some people have a love hate relationship with them..
Good luck with your raised beds
come often to visit too.
Later
melanie
salem oregon

Thanks for the reply Melanie. Oregon must have a limited growing season like Wisconsin although I bet you get a lot more rain. Can't wait to get my hands dirty again. I have a friend who grows roses, but he is a purist and won't mingle things with the roses. I love a lot of color and probably plant too much stuff - love the cottage garden look though my gardening is a little more contained than that. Thanks for the tip about not crowding the roes. I have a tendency to do that.

Welcome, Sturdy Girl, from out west in the Forty Mile Desert of Northern Nevada. Our growing season runs from May 15th (last year we got a late freeze on 5/28) until about the last week of September (the year before it didn't freeze until mid Oct.) Can't count on anything running to schedule.

Hope to see you around.

Hi ruby2sday, I'm surprises to hear that you're growing season is that short. Ours is very similar. A rule of thumb here is not to plant anything tender before Memorial Day, although the last couple of years we've had early spring. Not unusual to get a late snow in early May, though. If I cover plants for light frosts, I can sometimes have plants in early October, although by then they aren't very robust. That's why I was interested in the raised beds with the covers. Always sad to finally have to give up on the gardens in fall.

hi sturdy girl, I'm in old lifetime member, but new to the website. I live in the suburbs of chicago, so my weather and your weather are pretty close. I have to say I love this mild winter were happy. I saw that you were interested in doing a raise d bed i your garden. last year I put in two raised beds all by myself. after a lot of research, I went with gardeners supply company and their lifetime raised bed corners. you can call them at 1 800 427 3363 or you can find them online at gardeners.com. I have fibromialgia and crohnes disease. even with my limited ability, I was able to make 2 8 x 16' raised beds. that's how easy it is. they have so many ideas to help you with your garden. I hope that this helps give you some ideas on your raised bed.
hope you hear from everyone soon,
Shireeob

ps. Melanie, from salem oregon, I grew up on the nw side of salem. I went to both south and north salem high schools, graduated in 1977, joined the marine corps after graduation, met my husband in the marine corps and have been married for 31 years with 4 children and 5 grandchildren. anyone else out there from salem oregon?

Good morning everyone
First I too am a great fan of Gardeners Suppy, when you order from them and they a certain amount of days to arrival, the product
is on your door step on that day..
Our growing season is about 9 months long and just the best ..I love it up here.
Shireeob, we are northern Califonrnia transplants (Napa-Fairfield area)we landed up here 9 years ago in a motorhome,bought a
house on the northeast side of town, sold the motorhome and never looked back.
Its just a neat place to live and play in the dirt..
I'm the only oregon person on the boards now..go down to life members and say hello, we visit everyday there..
Enough
Later all
melanie

Hi Shireeob,