Fertilizing Mulch roses with 3-4 of shredded hardwood mulch. Container roses purchased at the nursery have been fertilized. Winter Protection Wait one month after planting and start fertilizing once a month thereafter with a good rose fertilizer. Quit fertilizing in August to help harden the plants for winter. Good site preparation is the most imporant thing that you can do to insure success in growing roses.
Prevention is the best medicine for pests and diseases.
Apply a systemic pesticide, fungicide once a month. Roses need a light fall pruning and a more thorough spring pruning. Remove dead wood, thin weak growth, interior crossing branches and about half of last year s growth. Cutting roses not only can bring beautiful blooms indoors, but can also increase the vigor of a rose bush. When cutting roses, be sure to allow at least two, five-leaflet leaves to remain on each shoot.