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Rose bush care is seasonal.  No, that doesn’t mean there are times of the year when you can leave your roses for them to fend off to themselves.  It means that, as each new season settles in, a variety of gardening practices should be observed so your rose bushes can deal with the different weather conditions that come with each season.  In this article, we share with you the seasonal secrets of caring for your rose bushes.  As you read through our checklist, notice that each action you take in one season is done in preparation for the next.  That is what gardening is—a cycle of preparation, development, and growth that lasts only when you veer away from the cycle.
 
SEASON 1: SPRING
Spring is a critical time for rose bushes.  Most varieties should be planted during this season to allow ample time for the roses to grow before the first frost settles in.  For many roses that have flowering repeats throughout the year, early spring is the best time to do the pruning.  For older cultivars that bloom only once during the year, it is better to prune in the summer, after the blossoms have been spent and no more flowers are expected for the year.  Naturally, it is also during the first two weeks of spring that winter mulch should be removed gradually.
 
Much rose bush care is done during the spring, as this is the time when the plants are preparing for new growth.  Most mulching and fertilizing is also done during this season, with some of it done later in the summer.  And, to top it off, disease prevention also happens this time of the year, too, in preparation for the hot and humid summer days.  Fungus, mildew, and black spot, as well as pests such as aphids and Japanese beetles love the new growth, so you better take care of those by spraying—or soaking!—the plants with a non-toxic treatment like baking soda solution.
 
SEASON 2: SUMMER
The most important thing to remember during the summer is to provide deep watering for your rose bushes to keep them well-hydrated throughout the dry season.  A good soaking once a week is enough for moderate climates, more often in hotter zones.  Water the roots, not the leaves, to prevent the plant from attracting diseases and pests.  Deadheading faded blooms is also done during this season.
 
SEASON 3: AUTUMN
This is preparation period for the roses’ winter dormancy.  Stop feeding your roses six to eight weeks before the first frost is expected to set in.  After a frost but before the ground freezes altogether, do one last good watering to keep your bushes well hydrated during the winter.  It is also recommended to spray the plants with an anti-dessicant to lock in moisture and prevent damage from winter freeze-thaw cycles.
 
SEASON 4: WINTER
Winter rose bush care is different.  First, you have to expose the plants to about two weeks of below freezing temperatures to allow them to harden off and prevent new growth.  Protect your bushes from the cold by mounding 8-12 inches of winter mulch over the crown and tying protective burlap covering over the exposed parts.  In extreme conditions, you can lay the canes on the ground and cover them with mulch.   When the year ends, it’s time to go back to the rose care tips outlined for spring.  And the cycle goes on.
 
We hope that you have learned an entire year’s worth of information about rose gardening, but whatever time of the year it is, don’t forget your gloves and your reliable old garden hat.  Say hello to your roses for us!

About the Author:

Catherine Martin comes from a long line of passionate rose lovers, growers and enthusiasts. She is committed to demystifying the common rose, so that all who wish to can grow them easily. For more great information on rose bush care, visit http://www.rosegardeningexpert.com/roses.html

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Secrets for All-Year-Round Rose Bush Care Revealed