Terry's Gardening Tips
It's Time to Tend to the Rose Garden
Early spring is a time of great activity in the rose garden as you prepare for the beautiful buds that will be sprouting almost any day. Here’s a summary of what needs to be done in order to prepare your roses for the tough growing season that lies ahead.
- If you covered your roses with dirt or other protective winter coverings, your first step is to gently remove the protective materials and any decaying debris so you can introduce your dormant bushes to the warming spring sun and rains that lie ahead.
- Your spring pruning activities should include cutting back any dead and damaged canes that did not survive the winter.
- Prepare the soil to nurture your plants by adding organic material from your favorite garden supplier, or you can mix up your own recipe using composted manure, mushroom compost, or any meal blend which can include alfalfa, cottonseed, fish or blood meal.
- Work your soil with a spade or other tool if it has become too compacted during the winter or if you notice standing water after watering your plants. Now is a good time to plant any new additions to your rose garden.
- Remember roses require well-drained soil to thrive.
- Throughout the year you need to be prepared to control fungus, pests and to fertilize. Fungicide spraying can be done within 14 days after pruning. Remember to rotate through different fungicides during the year to prevent any fungi from becoming immune to any one product. Pesticide use should only include plans to control future damage, but remember to keep a sharp eye out for aphids which are as much a sign of spring as April showers are. Hit aphids with a blast of water to remove them, or apply insecticide in a mister to the affected areas.
- Roses are coaxed from dormancy to budding by fertilizing early and continuing every other week through the remainder of the growing season. Remember to water well after feeding!