WINTER

June

Roses going dormant & dropping leaves. Start planting new roses using compost & slow release fertiliser only. Move established roses to new locations if the are in the wrong place or too close together. Prune well before moving.

July

Start pruning roses. Remove all leaves from bushes & rake up all around the rose beds. Do not compost leaves. Use Kocide & White Oil mixed together to spray on bare roses & lightly on ground around bushes to kill all black spot spores. Repeat in 2 weeks time. Repot roses into fresh, best quality potting mix with slow release fertiliser granules. Root prune by a quarter as well as pruning top.

August

At end of month feed all roses with a specialist rose fertiliser. We recommend "SUDDEN IMPACT FOR ROSES" (Neutrog). Water in well.

SPRING

September

Full Spring growth. Watch for aphids on new growth. Use Pyrethrum, Folimat or Confidor. When buds start appearing, commence spraying fortnightly with a foliar feed i.e. Charlie Carp, Seasol or Phostrogen. Spray with fungicide for Black Spot.

October

Mulch with lucerne hay or pea straw. Continue foliar feeding. Main flush of Spring blooms later this month. Stake water shoots with bamboo stakes to prevent wind damage.

November

Spring flush continues. Deadhead & enjoy your roses. Take photos. Visit nurseries, Spring Rose Show (Mount Waverley) & rose gardens to get ideas. Visit Morwell Rose Garden, State Rose Garden at Werribee Park, Alister Clark Rose Garden Bulla.

SUMMER

December

Feed with organic fertiliser, top up mulch & deadhead. Water well, especially pots. Prune all once flowering ramblers such as Albertine, Banksia roses & heritage shrubs i.e. Albas, Gallicas, Damasks. Watch for spider mites in dry, hot weather. Try wetting underneath foliage in the early mornings to discourage them.

January

Top up mulch well. Continue deadheading. Ensure adequate water.

February

Summer trim all roses if timing flowering for a show or special event. Feed with organic fertiliser & water in well. Top up mulch & water deeply regularly.

AUTUMN

March

Foliar feed as in Spring. Prune winter flowering roses such as Lorraine Lee & Nancy Hayward. Watch for aphids.

April

Autumn flush of roses. Deadhead & enjoy. Prepare soil for new rose beds. Dig deeply, apply manure & compost. Turn over regularly.

May

Some good blooms still. Send away for rose catalogues from specialist rose nurseries & order new roses for winter planting.