Every year at April & Ashley, the springtime is eagerly anticipated. As temperatures rise and conditions become more favorable, we roll up our sleeves and get to work on our spring rose care routine. Now, we want to share that same routine with you so your roses flourish throughout the season – just like ours do.
Whether your roses are awakening from their winter slumber or you’re planting new ones, we’ll give you the tips you need to make spring rose care as easy as possible.
Tidy Up the Garden
Once the temperatures remain consistently above freezing, your roses are ready to make a fresh start. Here are a few things to check off your spring cleaning list:
- Rake away used mulch. It would be nice to be able to use the leftovers, but this can provide a breeding ground for pests and diseases.
- Remove all fallen leaves and canes from the ground surrounding your roses.
This is an important step to preventing diseases such as black spot or powdery mildew.
Prune for Strong Growth
You’ve tidied up and it’s time to give your roses a little wakeup call by pruning them. This is when you’ll assess their post-winter conditions and do some damage control. Don’t panic if you see some black crawling down the canes. That’s normal winter dieback, and you’re going to snip it right off during your pruning.
Don’t be timid when pruning. Your roses want you to be ruthless and get rid of anything that will get in the way of their beautiful blooms. The important steps to take for pruning your rose bushes are:
- Make sure your pruners are clean to avoid spreading any disease – especially if you’re pruning several bushes.
- Cut out any dead, dying, diseased, or crossing canes.
- Take out thin, spindly branches that won’t be strong enough to support blooms.
Fertilize for Abundant Blooms
The first spring prune is also the time for your roses’ first feeding. Add an organic fertilizer around the base of your roses, such as:
- Rose tone
- Cotton seed meal
- Alfalfa pellets
- Chicken pellets
The major nutrients in most fertilizers are NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium). We typically use a 15-15-15 ratio, but don’t overthink it. Roses aren’t picky eaters – they just want to be fed!
Dormant Spray for Pest & Disease Prevention
Create an unwelcoming environment for pests and disease by dormant spraying your roses. You can use horticultural oil, lime sulphur, or copper-based sprays. This is an important step in the springtime because of the cool, wet conditions that allow powdery mildew, rust, and black spot to thrive. Spraying just once should do the trick, but another round a couple weeks later wouldn’t hurt.
Always use gloves and a mask when spraying your rose bushes.
Water for Hydration
Roses are thirsty plants and need regular watering, especially in warmer climates, but too much water can lead to root rot. So where’s the sweet spot? Stick your finger in the soil, and if it feels damp, you can leave it alone for now. If the soil is dry, it’s time to get your watering can out.
Roses in moderate climates need about 4-5 gallons of water per week. Don’t shower them from above. If the foliage gets too wet, it could lead to disease. Water slowly and carefully at the base to make sure the roots are able to properly absorb it.
Mulch for Extra Protection
After the first feeding, apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to your roses. Mulch helps to retain moisture and puts organic matter back in the ground. This will promote growth and suppress fungal development.
Spring Care for Newly-Planted Roses
If you’re bringing new roses to your garden this spring, congratulations! For bare-root roses, check out our blog post on [How To Plant a Bare-Root Rose Bush in 8 Easy Steps] for a full walkthrough of the process. If you’re planting a rose from a plastic nursery container, follow these simple steps:
- Find a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day and is at least 4-5 feet away from other plants in your garden.
- Remove any weeds or stones that could get in the way of the growth of your roses.
- Dig a spacious hole – about 2x2 feet for ample growing room.
- Amend the soil - use 50% potted soil with organic matter and 50% native soil.
- Free your rose from its container by gently squeezing the sides to loosen the roots, slowly tilting it upside down, and catching it with your other hand as it slides out.
- Backfill the hole with your amended soil – and then some. Adding extra soil will ensure your rose maintains an adequate amount after being watered.
- Add a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch at the base of your rose. Mulch provides an extra layer of defense against disease and helps your rose to maintain moisture.
- Water 2-3 times per week until your rose starts producing new growth. Then just make sure they get about 2 inches of water per week. Always water at the base of the plant.
Kick off the spring season the right way by putting these tips into practice. You’ll enjoy vibrant blooms that’ll last until it’s time for your roses to go to sleep again in the winter.
At April & Ashley, we’re passionate about sharing our knowledge with our fellow rose lovers. Visit Resources for more rose care tips & tricks.