How to get roses to bloom and avoid damage with 4 must-do tasks

Roses can take a beating, but often the harsh winter weather can cause these plants to “suffer,” according to the gardening experts at Millcreek Gardens.

It’s important to care for your plants in the fall to ensure a healthy start next spring.

The pros said, “Without proper fall care, rose bushes may not survive the winter.

“If you want to ensure blooms next spring, you need to prepare your roses for the cold months.”

The pros have identified four tasks that must be followed before winter arrives next month.

1. Remove damaged leaves

While extensive pruning is “not recommended” in the fall, it is “prudent” to remove dead, diseased and damaged leaves from your rose bushes.

However, be sure to use secateurs to trim the leaves, as pulling creates small cracks in the stem that can be “entry points for disease.”

2. Cut sticks that are too long

Strong winds can blow the stems of your rose bushes around, and if the stems are too long, “they may become damaged.”

To avoid this, shorten your canes to about three feet long and then tie the canes together loosely so they don’t move easily.

3. Clean up around the roses

After taking care of the leaves and sticks, rake up any plant debris from underneath the bushes.

Fungal diseases such as black spots on leaves can spread around the plant, and removing the material can reduce the risk of problems and “help your roses bloom beautifully in the spring.”

4. Apply mulch around the base of the roses

Mulching not only provides plants with valuable nutrients, but also serves as insulation for their roots in winter.

To protect your roses, spread about 8 to 12 inches of good-quality mulch around the base of the bushes.

Take special care to keep the base of the rose plant well covered over the roots from which all the canes come, as it is often vulnerable to injury in the winter.