Gardeners should keep watering their roses throughout September to support late flowers, prevent roots from drying out, and help the plants resist pests and diseases, according to experts at Peter Beales Roses. This simple task takes only three minutes and is essential for helping roses thrive through autumn and winter.
Why September watering matters
While September isn't the most demanding month in the gardening calendar, there are still plenty of tasks to attend to when it comes to roses. A bit of attention now will pay dividends later, resulting in healthy, robust plants.
It may be tempting to feed roses as blooms fade and temperatures drop, but they need watering far more. The specialists explained that watering in September encourages the plant to "produce another flush of blooms" and prevents hips from drying out and falling prematurely. When roses are in peak condition, they also develop greater natural resistance to pests and diseases.
How to water roses properly
The most important thing to bear in mind is that you are watering the soil and roots, not the leaves and shoots. It's always advisable to avoid saturating the foliage by directing water underneath the canopy.
Water can cause scorching on leaves, particularly during the peak of summer, may damage blooms, encourage fungal problems such as blackspot, and can also rinse away any feed or pest control you might have applied.
How much water do roses need?
There isn't a precise amount of water that you should give your rose. Generally speaking, provided your pot and/or soil drains freely, it's hard to overwater your roses. It's advisable to water potted and newly planted roses daily, then twice weekly for established garden roses.
Other September rose care
Along with watering, roses also benefit from deadheading. Deadheading in September isn't simply important for maintaining a neat-looking garden; it also enables the plant to channel its energy into fresh growth. The quicker you deadhead roses once they've finished flowering, the greater your chances of achieving another bloom before winter arrives.
September is also a perfect month for training any new growth around your trellis, over your archways, or across your structure. This enables it to settle in before the weather turns colder.
