Monthly Rose Care Calendar
By Tami Reece, UC Master Gardener
January
Buy, plant, and prune roses. The goal of pruning is to improve airflow and sunlight penetration. Pruning also encourages dormancy.
- Remove diseased, damaged, dead, and crossing branches.
- Prune in a “V” shape, leaving 3, 5, or 7 canes per plant and 3–5 buds per cane.
- Clean up leaves, clippings, and spent flowers to reduce disease and pests.
- Apply 3–4” of mulch under the bush, avoiding contact with the trunk.
- Plant bare-root roses or transplant to a new location.
February
- Finish pruning, even if roses are still blooming.
- Remove all leaves and blooms.
- Last month to plant bare-root roses or transplant.
- Fertilize now or wait for first new growth.
- Fertilize before rain or water deeply afterward.
March
- When new growth is 2–4 inches long, apply granular or slow-release fertilizer and water in well.
- Follow label directions to avoid over-fertilizing and groundwater contamination.
- Pinch growth toward the center to maintain an open shape.
- Remove suckers below the graft union.
April
- Monitor for aphids and other honeydew-producing insects; manage with a strong stream of water.
- Releasing ladybugs is unreliable; instead, plant diverse flowering plants to attract beneficial insects.
- Watch for rust and mildew.
- Continue removing suckers.
May
- Roses should be in full bloom.
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
- Monitor for thrips (brown spots on lighter petals).
- Remove debris and weeds; avoid overhead watering.
June
- Watch for earwigs chewing outer petals.
- Use tuna cans or rolled newspapers to trap and discard earwigs.
July
- Water about once a week to a depth of 18 inches.
- If temperatures exceed 90°F, water up to 3 times per week as needed.
- Check soil moisture before watering.
- Potted roses need more frequent watering; water when top inch is dry.
- Control spider mites by minimizing dust and rinsing undersides of leaves.
- Look for predatory mites that help manage spider mites.
August
- Continue monitoring for spider mites.
- Expect smaller blooms and shorter stems during hot weather.
September
- Prune back leggy growth.
- As temperatures cool, expect larger blooms.
- Watch for rust during foggy or wet weather.
October
- Apply final fertilizer of the year.
- Avoid encouraging new late-season growth.
- Replenish mulch.
- Remove weeds and plant debris.
November
Some roses continue blooming while others enter semi-dormancy.
December
In North County, most roses will be dormant. In San Luis Obispo and South County, roses may still bloom.
- You may begin pruning, though many gardeners wait until January.
References
How to Manage Pests: Rose. UC IPM. Managing Pests in Gardens: Trees and Shrubs: Rose — UC IPM