Rose Care in Summer: What To Do in August

What to Do in the Rose Garden in August

August is a month of beginnings and endings in the rose garden. If you are in a colder climate you are likely getting towards the middle or even end of your season. Those in moderate climates are seeing their roses get ready for the fall flush and those in hot climates are seeing their roses start to wake up for fall and in some cases even winter blooming.

Cold-Climate (Zones 2-4)

1. Fertilizing. It's coming up on time to stop fertilizing and let the roses set themselves up for dormancy. Feeding too close to winter encourages tender new growth which can die in a freeze. To know when to stop google "first frost date (your zip code)." Count back 4-6 weeks and that is when it's time to stop. For zone 2 the first frost is typically end of September. For zone 3 middle to early September.
2. Deadheading. Time to also stop deadheading based on your first frost date and counting back 4-6 weeks. Deadheading encourages roses to form new blooms. Something you want during the growing season but not now. When you stop deadheading the roses will set hips (seed pods) and this to them means it's time to shut down for the winter. Plus hips are great for the birds during the winter.
3. Pests. Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and the like. You can hose them off with water or use something mild like insecticidal soap.
4. Health. If you see disease you can spray the infected areas with Bonide Captain Jack's Copper Fungicide available from Jackson & Perkins. Keep in mind as roses start to go dormant it's quite normal to see diseases like blackspot and also leaves falling off. Don't be alarmed by that. You can rake the fallen leaves out of the beds.

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Moderate-Climate (Zones 5-7)

1. Fertilizing. Continue to feed with a liquid foliar feed like Sea Magic. This is also a good time to put down another round of granular like Rose Tone to set your roses up for the fall bloom if you didn't do it last month. Don't use a time release because you don't want to be pushing growth in the fall when the roses are trying to go dormant.
2. Deadheading. Keep deadheading to encourage that fall flower flush.
3. Mulch. Check your mulch levels. If they are low top dress lightly to help keep the soil moist and the temperatures even.
4. Pests. Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and the like. You can hose them off with water or use something mild like insecticidal soapa>.
5. Health. If you see disease you can spray the infected areas with Bonide Captain Jack's Copper Fungicidea> available from Jackson & Perkins.

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Hot-Climate (Zones 8-10)

1. Fertilizing. As the nights turn cooler, you will see your roses start to wake up. Even if the days are hot they will start to grow and bloom again. That is the time to start fertilizing again. Use a granular like Rose Tone instead of a time release. And pick up the foliar again with a product like Sea Magic.
2. Deadheading. Keep deadheading. You are coming into your fall flush and in the hotter climates your winter flowering can be outstanding.
3. Mulch. Check your mulch levels. If they are low top dress lightly to help keep the soil moist and the temperatures even.
4. Pests. Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and the like. You can hose them off with water or use something mild like insecticidal soapa>.
5. Health. If you see disease you can spray the infected areas with Bonide Captain Jack's Copper Fungicide available from Jackson & Perkins.

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Written by Paul Zimmerman of Paul Zimmerman Roses Consulting for Jackson & Perkins.