Winter rose care

Here it is the start of a new gardening year. Even though it is January there are a few things you can do even now to make for a better garden this coming spring.

First among these is rose pruning. Every January we have a series of pruning seminars on rose and fruit trees.

The schedule for roses is:

Saturday Jan 13 at 10 am
Sunday Jan 14 at 2 pm
Saturday Jan 20 at 2 pm
Sunday Jan 21 at 10 am

The schedule for fruit trees is:

Saturday Jan 13 at 2 pm
Sunday Jan 14 at 10 am
Saturday Jan 20 at 10 am
Sunday Jan 21 at 2 pm

A short version of what I talk about at the rose pruning seminar is:

1) In most cases shorten to ½ or less depending on the growth of the individual variety

2) Out with the old and in with the new. Here I mean you are trying to encourage basal breaks (these are new shoots from near or at the graft union). The new basal breaks are to replace old and tired old canes.

3) Thin out the old and weak growth and try to open the center to allow more light and air. This encourages basal breaks and reduces disease.

4) Fertilize, fertilize and fertilize. This is the number one thing most people can do to encourage more blooms.

5) Don’t sweat the small stuff. By this I mean roses will bloom no matter what you do to them!

For more info come in and attend one of the seminars or talk to one of the nursery pros at the nursery.