Take some time this weekend to tidy up your rose bushes! Proper maintenance is essential to the health of your roses. By taking the time to feed, prune and water properly, you will ensure bloom after bloom, and a healthy bush that can resist mildew, molds, and disease. Watering is important, remember that deep infrequent waterings from the base, in the early morning work best.

During the summer only maintenance pruning is required, and that involves the removal of anything dead, diseased or dying. Just toss any infected plant material into the garbage, not the compost. A top dressing of mushroom manure is also a great way to add nutrients and shade the roots of your rose. And absolutely necessary is the feeding of your roses. Here are some great recipe that we use all the time in the nursery for our roses, it not only feeds but helps control the black spot and mildew.

Black Spot & Mildew Prevention

    1 tsp. sea spray kelp
    1 tsp. baking soda
    1 liter of water

Mix all ingredients and spray the foliage, leaves and flowers of the rose. Spraying in early morning is best. Use as a preventative measure every second weekend.

If you notice aphids try this, or purchase a bag of ladybugs, they will eat the aphids like crazy!

Aphid Control

Mix ingredients and spay infected areas of plants. Apply as needed.