A Rose’s Fall Rebirth

Guest post by our gardener, Barb Tewell:

Not only will we feel better when the nights cool down but your roses will emerge from a short summer nap.  Check for dead wood and weaker branches/stems and trim – try not to trim more than a third of the shrub. This will help a new growth spurt and not interfere with the winter dormancy period.

I like to use a fish emulsion with seaweed or kelp as a leaf feeding fertilizer to give back lost nutrients.  You want to use a fertilizer with less nitrogen than you used in the spring.   Re-mulch if needed and water regularly.  Remember, as we said in an earlier article, water deeply at the roots, do not sprinkle the leaves only.  At least once a week should be adequate thru the new fall color show.