WINTER

June

Roses going dormant and dropping leaves.

Start planting new roses using compost and slow-release fertiliser only.

Move established roses to new locations if they are in the wrong place or too close together.

Prune well before moving and water in well with Seamungus Liquid.

July

Start pruning roses. Remove all leaves from bushes and rake up all around the rose beds.

Do not compost leaves. Use Kocide and White Oil mixed together to spray on bare roses and lightly on ground around bushes to kill all black spot spores. Alternative spray is Lime Sulphur. Repeat in 2 weeks time.

For roses growing permanently in large pots, repot every 2-3 years into fresh, best quality potting mix with slow release fertiliser granules.

Root prune by a quarter as well as pruning top hard. Water in well with Seamungus Liquid.

August

Prune now in cold areas so as to avoid frost damage.

At end of month feed all roses with a specialist rose fertiliser – except newly planted bare-root roses which should not be fed until late November or early December but at half the recommended amount. We recommend Sudden Impact For Roses from Neutrog Fertilisers. Water in well.

SPRING

September

Full Spring growth.

Watch for aphids on new growth. Use Pyrethrum, Eco Oil or Neem Oil. Alternatively, simply hose them off the tender new growth and buds/receptacles/new stems with a fine spray. They don’t manage to clamber back on.

When buds start appearing, commence spraying fortnightly with a foliar feed i.e. Sudden Impact For Roses – Liquidetc.

Water in some GoGo Juice to stimulate microbial activity in the soil.

Spray with fungicide for Black Spot using Eco Rose and Eco Oilmixed together. (If necessary)

October

Main flush of Spring blooms start later this month.

Mulch with Lucerne hay Who Flung Dung or pea straw.

Apply Epsom Salts and Sulphate of Potash.

Continue foliar feeding.

STAKE ANY NEW WATER SHOOTS with bamboo stakes to prevent wind damage.

Continue spraying with Eco Rose, Eco Oiland Neem Oil (If necessary)

November

Spring flush continues.

Deadhead and enjoy your roses.

Take photos. Visit nurseries, Spring Rose Show (Mount Waverley) and rose gardens to get ideas on which varieties to plant next winter. Visit Morwell Centenary Rose Garden, Victoria State Rose Garden at Werribee Park, Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens and Alister Clark Rose Garden at Bulla.

SUMMER

December

Feed with organic fertiliser, top up mulch and deadhead. (Remove spent blooms)

Water well, especially pots.

Prune all once flowering ramblers such as Albertine, Banksia roses and 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.

Continue spraying with Eco Rose, Eco Oil and Neem Oil. (If necessary)

January

Top up mulch well.

Continue deadheading.

Ensure adequate water by deep watering.

CONTINUE TO STAKE ALL NEW WATER SHOOTS WHEN THEY APPEAR.

February

Summer-trim all roses if timing flowering for a show or special event. (Roses generally repeat flower within approximately 56 days).

Feed with organic fertiliser and water in well.

Water in some GoGo Juice to stimulate microbial activity in the soil.

Top up mulch and water deeply regularly.

Continue spraying with Eco Rose, Eco Oil and Neem Oil. (If necessary)

AUTUMN

March

Foliar feed as in Spring.

Prune winter flowering roses such as ‘Lorraine Lee’ and ‘Nancy Hayward’.

Watch for aphids.

Continue spraying with Eco Rose, Eco Oil and Neem Oil. (If necessary)

April

Autumn flush of roses.

Deadhead and enjoy.

Prepare soil for new rose beds. Dig deeply, apply manure and compost. Turn over regularly.

Continue spraying with Eco Rose, Eco Oil and Neem Oil.(If necessary)

May

Some good blooms still on bushes.

Send away for rose catalogues from specialist rose nurseries & order new roses for winter planting.

Dig in Gypsum.

Continue spraying with Eco Rose, Eco Oil and Neem Oil. (If necessary)