For date related activities in other parts of the country, contact your local extension office and/or seek advice from your nearby:

• American Rose Society Group.​

January, February, and March in the Rose Garden

• Water roses if there has not been sufficient rain or snowfall.  Use a hose set at a slow trickle to ensure a deep soak.  One gallon per bush for smaller plants and miniatures; increase the quantity of water as the size of the shrub increases.

○  Do not water if the ground is frozen. 
○  Water only if the outside temperature is above freezing. 
○  ​Water once or twice a month depending on precipitation amount.

• Check rose beds for pests.  Mice, rats, and rabbits can do a lot of damage to the roots and canes of roses.
• Order new roses for spring delivery.

​March in the Rose Garden

• Transplant roses before they break dormancy

April in the Rose Garden

• Test soil pH; adjust if necessary  *Also See: Soil / Fertilizing ​
• Plant bare-root roses
• Remove winter protection no earlier than April 7th (if the weather forecast is mild) or April 15th.
• Prune roses

○  Hybrid Teas – remove dead, diseased, damaged, crossing, and weak canes; prune back remaining canes to live wood, cutting about 1/4 inch above an outward growing bud and about 10 to 12 inches above the ground.

○  Shrub Roses - remove dead, diseased, damaged, crossing, and weak canes; and prune lightly to shape.
​
○  ​Climbing Roses - remove dead, diseased, damaged, crossing, and weak canes, and any old canes that will not add much to summer bloom 

• Fertilize after pruning with a high-nitrogen fertilizer to give plants a boost (recommended) *Also See: Soil / Fertilizing
• Remove leaf litter from around bushes
• Start spray program for blackspot control if your roses are susceptible (Forthcoming, Link to Pests & Diseased Page)

May in the Rose Garden

• Plant container roses
• Fertilize roses (optional) *Also See: Soil / Fertilizing
• Apply summer mulch

• Continue regular spraying for disease control, spray for pests if needed (Forthcoming, Link to Pests & Diseased Page)
• Water a minimum of 1 inch a week if inadequate precipitation
• Disbud for larger flowers, if desired

 
June in the Rose Garden

• Plant container roses
• Fertilize roses (recommended) *Also See: Soil / Fertilizing

• Continue regular spraying for disease control, spray for pests if needed (Forthcoming, Link to Pests & Diseased Page)

• Water a minimum of 1 inch a week if inadequate precipitation
• Disbud for larger flowers if desired
• Deadhead faded flowers to promote re-bloom

July in the Rose Garden

• Plant container roses
• Fertilize roses (optional) *Also See: Soil / Fertilizing

• Continue regular spraying for disease control, spray for pests if needed (Forthcoming, Link to Pests & Diseased Page)

• Water a minimum of 1 inch a week if inadequate precipitation
• Disbud for larger flowers if desired
• Deadhead faded flowers to promote re-bloom

 
August in the Rose Garden

• Plant container roses
• Fertilize roses, final application for the season (optional) 
  ​*Also See: Soil / Fertilizing

• Continue regular spraying for disease control, spray for pests if needed (Forthcoming, Link to Pests & Diseased Page)

• Water a minimum of 1 inch a week if inadequate precipitation 
• Disbud for larger flowers if desired
• Deadhead faded flowers to promote re-bloom

September in the Rose Garden

• Prepare soil for spring planting
• Water a minimum of 1 inch a week if inadequate precipitation
• Stop deadheading

 
October in the Rose Garden

• Prepare soil for spring planting
• Transplant roses 
• Water a minimum of 1 inch a week if inadequate precipitation

​November in the Rose Garden

• Apply winter protection
• Order roses for spring planting

 
December in the Rose Garden

• Order new roses for spring planting
• Rest