By November, most of the roses have stopped blooming and the weather is getting colder. This is a great time to clean up your rose garden. Cleaning now helps prevent diseases and pests from living in the garden over the winter. It also keeps your roses healthier next year.
Start by cutting off any dead or broken branches. You don’t need to do full pruning yet, but you can remove anything that looks weak or damaged. There is a trick we keep in mind to help remember what to clean up; remove the three D’s: Dead, diseased and damaged canes. If any leaves are still hanging on, gently pull them off so the plant can rest.
Next, clean up the ground around your rose bushes. Rake up fallen leaves, old petals, and any weeds. These can hide bugs or diseases that might harm your roses later. Put this garden waste in the trash or a compost pile that gets hot enough to kill germs.
Some gardeners like to add fresh mulch after cleaning. A new layer of mulch helps protect the roots from freezing. It also keeps moisture in the soil, which your roses will need even in winter.
Cleaning your rose garden can also be a relaxing time. The garden is quiet, and the air feels fresh. You might even notice small rose hips still holding on or see birds hopping through the branches. If you live anywhere with high foot traffic, you are sure to garner comments from people that admire your roses.
Taking care of your garden in the fall helps your roses wake up happy in the spring. It’s one more way to say thank you to your plants for a beautiful year.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.