Joyful Autumn Rose Growing

The autumn months of September and October are when roses perform at their optimum. After faithfully following proper rose procedures up to this point, you should now begin to reap the rewards of full, vibrant, glorious blooms. Your work isn't, however, quite done yet. While autumn is the best growing time, it's also the time to prepare bushes for winter's approach.

Producing those enchanting blooms that make you so proud is hard work for your rose bushes. They need a lot of water to fuel the flowering process. Continue watering them deeply and as often as needed to maintain growth. Watering them daily is fine, if you are going to be showing them off, as long as you don't over-do it.

Through the end of September, continue using water-soluble compost. Consider a commercially prepared bloom-boosting fertilizer. They're easily recognizable by the large number placed in the middle of the formulation.

Conditions for black spot and mildew are still dangerous, so keep up with your spraying program through the end of October. Then, to allow your roses to begin the hibernation passage, stop all fertilizing by the end of October, as well.

Rose bouquets can continue to be cut through October without causing the bushes any harm. To encourage rose hips to form, just remove the petals of spent roses.

Fall is also the right time to begin planning next year's garden. Start ordering your catalogs to research from and to drool over throughout the dark and dreary winter months. To get the absolute best selections available, place your new roses order early. Rose growers will know when it's the best time to ship new bushes to your climate zone.