Getting Ready for Spring, Roses

Ideally, pruning should be done in the winter, when your roses are safely asleep. But let's not kid ourselves, we're all lazy, particularly in the depths of winter, when instinct is to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and watch reruns on HGTV.

So spring has sprung, your roses are leafing out, and now you don't know what to do.

Well don't panic! It's OK that you didn't prune your roses in December. It's OK that you didn;t give them that last dose of fertilizer in September. And it's OK that you ate that chocolate eclair, because now you've got work to do, and you'll just be able to burn it off!

Your rose should have already leafed out, so you can see if any branches didn't make it through the winter. Prune out any dead wood, and any small branches that won't support strong growth. Open up the center, cutting out any canes that cross through the middle. You are looking for a fairly symmetrical starburst pattern, with all the branches radiating out from the center.

Cut the remaing branches back to around 12 to 18" above the ground. (Miniature and Groundcover roses will need to be cut back further).

Be sure your pruning shears are sharp before starting, and clean up any fallen debris out from under the rose (both from your pruning, and anything left from over the winter). Refresh the soil with a does of fertilizer, and a nice 2" layer of humus. Established beds can also benefit from an application of pre-emergent to prevent weeds from growing in your flower beds, and stealing water and nutrients from your roses.

Too busy to do it yourself? Let the Garden Crew do the dirty work! We can do all the pruning, fertilzing, and general clean-up to keep your garden growing!