Our Must-Have Rose Growing Tools
Rose growing can require a bit of special equipment to keep the process enjoyable & safe. It’s easy to get lured into purchasing all sorts of speciality rose-specific products, but that is simply not necessary.
Read on as Karissa describes a few favorite “rose-growing tools” from our own farm, Little Farmhouse Flowers.
Gloves
I prefer a pair of basic (but thick!) form-fitting leather gloves from the hardware store. They should be tight to put on. They will form to your hand after a few uses. This is my favorite style to work with. Generally speaking- they are about $10-20.
Although very nice aesthetically, the typical elbow-long gloves are just a little too cumbersome and bulky for efficient work.
2-in-1 Tool:
Good gloves are a multi purpose tool. We have found that they work great as an alternative to conventional thorn strippers.
To use your gloves as thorn strippers: Put your left hand at the top of the stem, right below the flower, and use your right hand to remove all of the thorns in a quick downward motion. A side-to-side rubbing motion can be used to remove stubborn residual thorns.
This thorn stripping method is cleaner, very quick, and requires one less tool. In my opinion, conventional thorn strippers can be rougher on the stems. They tend to leave scrapes and cuts along the stem, which seem to shorten vase life.
Clippers
Our favorite rose clippers are the “pruners” from ARS. We use these for most of our rose work and general maintenance in the field. They’re especially helpful when working with the thicker canes. When nimble work needs to be done, we prefer the small tips of the ARS Fruit Pruners
Ampersand Bulb Co. carries both of these products- ( & they can ship for free with any order!)
PRO TIP:
If you have a lot of roses- you will have a lot of pruning to do. Getting through those thick older canes can be a literal pain. Electric pruners are a game changer. They speed up the process and spare your body from a lot of wear and tear. Highly recommend.
Tool Belt
Tool Belt made by @its_the_cinchy (on Instagram).
Tool belts are the best way to protect your clothing & keep track of your tools.
There are many inexpensive tool belts available on the market. I prefer the “florist style” belt. They’re sleek, lightweight, and are comfortable to work in.
If you are able to hire a local leatherworker to make a tool belt- you won’t regret it. My friend Michelle (@its_the_cinchy on instagram) gifted me this belt. It is one of my very favorite possessions and is used almost every day. It has a removable rubber-band pocket, which comes in super handy for a variety of tasks. I’m fairly confident this belt will outlive me. Michelle is available for special orders if you ever find yourself interested in a similar piece of functional artwork.
Do you have any questions about rose growing tools? Or do you have some favorite tools you’d like to share?
Let us know in the comments below!
- Karissa Monette
