Can I prune roses in the fall?

Pruning roses in the fall can cause your rose bushes serious harm. I know because I have lost plants due to an unforeseen frost. Pruning back significantly creates new growth that is sensitive to freezing weather conditions. Instead, help roses through the fall by removing dead material and protecting them from the elements that can harm new development. As the seasons shift, your roses require varying care, and the philosophy of keeping them safe and healthy through the winter helps you achieve this.

Preventing pests becomes paramount in the fall season. Remove as many fallen leaves and debris as possible throughout the garden. This will help to eliminate potential hiding locations for insects and fungi. I use a small rake to clear it up. Then I seal it in bags for disposal, not into your compost. Doing this has greatly reduced the recurrence of black spots in my own garden.

The mulching technique decides winter survival. Apply mulch after the ground freezes slightly to prevent rodents from nesting in the mulch. I use shredded oak leaves to insulate. Create a mound of material, about 8 inches high, around the base of the rose. This protects the graft union from temperature fluctuations. Using this technique, my roses bloom into bigger and stronger bushes every spring.

Frost protection requires vigilance. Cover shrubbery with burlap when nighttime temperatures drop below 25°F (-4°C), is my recommendation. I secure a layer of fabric with garden clips to prevent damage to the plant while the fabric is in place. I remove the coverage during the day when there is a thaw period, which helps prevent condensation and disease from developing. I implemented these strategies for frost protection with success, rescuing my climbers from certain destruction during polar vortex events.

*Timing observations* assist in predicting possible safe timing windows. It's important to have a record of your average frost date. I typically begin preparations two weeks from that date. Be mindful that soil temperatures are more important than air temperature. Measure soil temperatures at the 4-inch depth before mulching the soil. Keeping track of these records helps me prepare for the season every year.

The Process of preventing disease carries on into the fall season. Following the dropping of the leaves, dormant oil can be sprayed onto the plant. The dormant oil will smother overwintering pests and disease spores. I will typically spray before the temperature drops below 40°F (4°C). It is important to clean the tools used for pruning. Each end-of-season cleanup for roses concludes the transformation into a safe winter.

Read the full article: 7 Essential Steps for Pruning Rose Bushes