Welcome, fellow garden enthusiasts! In this blog, we are going to share some tips and tricks with you to nurture your rose plants in summer and winter seasons which will keep them healthy throughout the year.

Many people believe that roses are difficult to grow, but that’s a myth. You can grow beautiful garden roses with ease. Follow these basic steps for a healthy and bushy rose plants.

I. Summer Care Tips

Watering

Consistency is key: Roses love water, especially during hot weather. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Morning routine: Water your roses early in the morning to ensure the water goes deep into the soil, it also avoids evaporation during the heat of the day.

Avoid overhead watering: Water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry and prevent fungal diseases, which are common in humid conditions.

Fertilizing

Balanced diet: In summers, rose plants grow actively and produce beautiful blooms. Use a balanced NPK fertilizer and bio fertilizers to increase fertility. Alternatively, you can also use fertilizer specifically formulated for roses which contains soil microbes for healthy flower growth. It’s recommended to use organic flower fertilizer for long term health benefit to plant and soil.

Regular feeding: Feed your roses every 4-6 weeks during the growing season, but avoid fertilizing during the peak summer months to prevent stressing the plants.

Mulching

Keep it cool: Apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of your roses. This helps retain moisture, keeps the roots cool, and suppresses weeds.

Material: Use materials like dried leaves, straw, or wood chips for mulching.

Pruning

Importance: Pruning promote proper growth. Light pruning should be done throughout the growing season to remove dead or diseased wood and to shape the plant.

Timing: Roses must be pruned after the coldest part of winter, just before they start actively growing again.

Protection from Diseases: Prune the center of the bush to open it up for better air circulation, which helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

Deadheading: Regularly remove spent blooms (deadheading), weak and damaged stems to encourage more blooms and prevent disease.

Pest and disease control

Keep an eye out: Regularly inspect your roses for signs of pests and diseases. Common issues include mealybugs, black spots, aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew and rust.

Natural remedies: Use neem oil or insecticidal soap for managing pests. For fungal diseases, ensure good air circulation and consider using a fungicide if necessary.

Heat Stress Management

Shade: Roses require sunlight for growth, however; protection from scorching afternoon sun is important to protect the roses from wilting. Place your rose plant under green net or some natural shade like under tall plants. This way your rose flowers with get necessary sunlight too.

Hydration: Consider giving your roses a light misting in the evening to help cool them down and increase humidity.

II. Winter Care Tips

Watering

Reduced need: Roses require less water during the cooler months as the rate of evaporation is lower and plants generally grow more slowly.

Morning watering: Continue to water your roses in the morning to ensure the water goes deep into the soil, but reduce the frequency. The soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between watering.

Fertilizing

Hold off on heavy fertilizing: During winters, roses need light feeding. You should avoid using fertilizers with high amount of nitrogen to prevent spurring new growth that could be damaged by cold snaps.

Potassium boost: Potassium is essential for overall plant health, improving disease resistance, and strengthening cell walls. Potassium rich fertilizer should be applied during onset of winters to prepare the plant for winter hardiness and stress tolerance.

Slow-Release Fertilizers: You can pick a slow release fertilizer that is low nitrogen and provides steady nutrient to the plant.

Timing: Its best to fertilize rose plants during onsets of winter when the roses are still somewhat active but starting to slow down. They should be fertilized anywhere between November to early January before the plant goes into complete dormancy.

Avoid Over-fertilizing: It’s crucial not to over-fertilize during winter, as excess nutrients can go to waste or potentially harm the plant.

Mulching

Refresh mulch: Apply a fresh layer of organic mulch around the base of your roses to insulate the roots, retain soil moisture, and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch a few inches away from the base of the rose plants to prevent rot and pest issues.

Pruning

Late winter, just before the onset of the spring growth, is the perfect time for pruning roses so that new growth can be prompted. 

Pest and Disease Management

Dormant spray: Apply oil sprays like neem oil to control overwintering pests and diseases. Make sure the plants are dormant and the weather is mild when you apply.

Protection

Frost protection: In regions where frost is a possibility, consider providing some protection to your roses during the coldest nights. Covering the plants with burlap or a similar breathable material can help shield them from frost damage.

Just like humans, plants also need some care round the year. These few simple steps will help you keep your rose plants healthy and happy.

HAPPY GARDENING!