Monthly Rose Care Tips -

Prune Your Plants: Trim the roses back to where new growth begins, ensuring you have healthy green canes. Remove all dead wood, weak or damaged canes, and any canes that cross or touch each other. Additionally, clear away any old debris, such as leaves.
Check for Forsythia Blooms: The appearance of Forsythia flowers is a good indicator that it's time to prune your rose bushes.
Transplanting Roses: If you need to move your roses, this is an ideal time to do so.
Remove Crown Protection: By the end of the month, make sure to remove all crown protection. Keep an eye on nighttime temperatures, as the plants will need to be covered until after the last frost date, which is typically May 15.
Fertilizing: Start fertilizing with a slow-release fertilizer, mixing this into the soil around the drip line of your plant (outer edge where the rain, or watering runs off the plant and hits the ground) and water in well. Avoid slow-release fertilizer on newly planted or first year plantings.
Watering: Make sure to water before and after fertilizing. Plants that are stressed from a lack of water are more susceptible to damage from nitrogen fertilizers, so ensure the soil around the plant is moist before applying fertilizer.

Begin fertilizing with a water-soluble fertilizer, such as Garden Elements Bud & Bloom, when you have 4 to 6 inches of new growth, and can see the first real leaflet with 5 to 7 leaves. Actual weather conditions, not a specific date, are what matter. Potential risk of spring frost damage is outweighed by the fact that your roses are hungry.
Once your new leaves have emerged, start a spraying program. There are several effective products available on the market. A good option is Bayer Rose & Flower All In One Spray, which acts as a fertilizer while also controlling insects and disease. Be sure to follow the instructions on the container.
A rose plant that is free from disease and insects and receives regular fertilization will be healthy and happy, helping it to withstand the winter better than one that is neglected.

Deadhead blooms and remove any weak or crossing canes on your plant. Deadhead at the fifth leaflet on the outside of the cane.
Continue to fertilize and spray for diseases and insects.
For newly planted roses, water them 2 to 3 times per week until they are established. After that, provide a deep watering once a week; if the weather is extremely warm, water them twice a week.
Water at the base of the plants to keep the foliage dry and prevent diseases. Well-watered roses are more resistant to disease, as water deprivation can stress plants, making them more susceptible to pests and illnesses. If you cannot water at the base, do so early in the day, ensuring the roses have time to dry out before nightfall.
Always water thoroughly before and after feeding or treating your plants.

The only pruning needed to do this month, is to remove any tall canes that will be whipped around in the wind this winter.
Continue to maintain a regular watering schedule until the ground freezes.
Don't begin covering plants too early. Wait until a hard killing frost has caused most of the leaves to fall. You may also want to wait until the temperature has dropped into the teens for several nights. Prior to covering, remove any foliage or other debris that might harbor disease for the next season. We recommend covering after Thanksgiving.

While the temperatures are above 40 degrees spray your plants with dormant oil. This will kill any insects or eggs that are hiding in your plants. And you can start next season insect free!
Don't begin covering plants too early. Wait until a hard killing frost has caused most of the leaves to fall. You may also want to wait until the temperature has dropped into the teens for several nights. Prior to covering, remove any foliage or other debris that might harbor disease for the next season. We recommend covering after Thanksgiving.