"Roses do for living what sunshine does for stained glass."
The Rambler, The American Rose Magazine

JANUARY

1. Make certain winter protection remains in place and has not washed away from rain.
2. This is a good time to test your soils for nutrient deficiency and pH.

FEBRUARY

1. Prepare beds for planting.
2. Purchase bareroot rose plants from garden centers as soon as they arrive. Plant them immediately and cover them with soil (completely cover the crown -- cover with about 8" of soil or compost so they don't dry out) for about a month before slowly uncovering them.
3. Prune climbers towards the end of the month. Remove dead and twiggy growth. (See also Pruning Roses.)

MARCH

1. Remove winter protection.
2. Conduct spring pruning. Remove any dead, diseased, or twiggy canes. Cut canes back to undamaged wood (pith should be apple green). Prune to an outside bud except for cultivars which tend to sprawl, in which case prune to inside buds. (See also Pruning Roses.)
3. Plant new bareroot roses before March ends.
4. Clean up the rose beds, rake up winter debris, pull weeds while they are small, replenish bark or mulch.

APRIL

1. Begin fungicide spray program when first foliage appears.
2. Make first fertilizer application. A high nitrogen fertilizer (e.g. 20-5-5) in early spring will help replenish nitrogen leached from the soil by winter rains.
3. Admire new growth and start dreaming of the rose show trophy table.

MAY

1. Be alert for insect pests. Remove them by hand when they appear. Spray with Orthene if hand-picking no longer can control the aphid outbreak.
2. Continue fungicide sprays, remember to alternate chemicals to avoid fungicide resistance.
3. Make second fertilizer application. Use 20-5-5 again, or switch to a more balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10.
4. Watch the weather and water when necessary.

JUNE

1. This is the main month for rose shows. Get your bushes groomed.
2. Apply new mulch if needed.
3. Continue spray program.
4. Make third fertilizer application.
5. Deadhead bloomed out canes fairly low on plant to stimulate basal breaks.
6. Start to water consistently as soon as spring rains let up. Roses will forgive many things, but won't forgive lack of water.

JULY

1. Increase watering; occasionally wash off foliage as temperature heats up.
2. Withhold fertilizer application after mid-July to promote hardening off.
3. Continue low deadheading as blossoms fade.
4. Pay attention to watering as the temperature heats up.

AUGUST

1. Watering begins to become critical. Water deeply two or three times a week during hot dry weather.
2. Be alert for spider mites. Wash them off with water or control them with miticide.
3. Continue fungicide spray program.
4. Canes should now be deadheaded higher on the plant to avoid stimulating basal breaks, which may not cold harden in time for winter.
5. Order new roses from catalogs for next year - many growers sell out of the best varieties before August ends.

SEPTEMBER

1. Continue watering program until fall rains begin.
2. Continue insect and disease control.
3. Be vigilant in your campaign against spider mites.
4. Enjoy the fruits of your hard work from all year; September is a great month in the rose garden.

OCTOBER

1. The winter rains have usually started and watering can decrease.
2. Make garden improvement plans.
3. Lime garden if soil test indicates pH is below about 6.0.
4. Toward the end of the month, allow spent blooms to remain on bushes to promote dormancy.

NOVEMBER

1. Plant new bareroot roses if you prefer fall transplanting, and if you can find new bushes.
2. Prepare bushes for winter by:
   • cutting tall bushes back to about 2' above the ground to lessen wind damage,
   • removing and discarding all leaves,
   • removing and cleaning up debris in rose beds,
   • dormant spraying bushes before applying winter protection, and
   • applying winter protection, such as mounding the bushes 6 to 8 inches with soil or mulch

DECEMBER

1. Stay out of the garden and enjoy your free time, knowing your roses are safely put to bed.
2. Read some good rose books and spend time in front of the fireplace dreaming over rose catalogs.
3. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!