The Secret to Thriving Roses | Spark Joy

🌹 Welcome to White Strawberries, your go-to podcast for effortless, joyful, and sustainable gardening. In this episode, I dive into why my roses are thriving without sprays, how biodiversity supports healthy plants, and how to make your own rosewater and tea from fragrant blooms.

What you’ll discover in this episode:

• Common rose pests and how nature balances them.
• How planting a diverse garden supports predatory insects like ladybugs and praying mantises.
• Companion plants that naturally protect and enhance roses.
• Choosing the right rose variety: Wild, Heirloom, and Modern Roses.
• How to make rosewater and a simple rose tea at home.
• The nutritional and skin benefits of roses grown in organic, biodiverse gardens.

Research & References:

1. Flower diversity increases aphid predation on tomatoes
2. Effect of companion planting on pest suppression
3. A 2018 study:  extracts from Rosa damascena  
4. Rose‑petal extracts have antioxidant and anti‑hyaluronidase activity — meaning they can neutralise free radicals  
   
   

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• Instagram: @whitestrawberriespodcast
• Facebook: White Strawberries Podcast

🎧 Connect with me.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to My Rose Garden
• 1:23 Understanding Rose Pests
• 4:21 The Power of Biodiversity
• 11:48 Choosing and Planting Roses
• 15:14 Exploring Rose Varieties and Uses
• 21:15 Making and Using Rosewater