Your roses have endured the winter under snow and cold, so it’s time to give them a little boost for a generous bloom next spring. Ready to pamper these beautiful flowering bushes? Here are five simple and effective recommendations to follow right now!

1. Cut your roses correctly

A proper pruning helps your plants thrive in spring. For your repeat-flowering roses, which bloom from May until the first frost, perform this cut between mid-February and mid-March, as soon as the temperatures rise above freezing. When the first buds start to appear, it’s the perfect time!

Note: Non-repeat-flowering roses (those that bloom only once in spring) should only be pruned after their flowering period.

How to cut your roses correctly?

Make sure to remove:

  • Dead or weakened branches, as well as those that are intertwined;
  • The central branches of the rosebush, essential for optimizing airflow and thus limiting the humidity conducive to diseases;
  • Any suckers above the grafting point.

Here are some good practices to adopt:

  • Always disinfect your pruning shears between each plant with bleach water or alcohol to prevent diseases;
  • Cut at an angle to promote better healing;
  • Only prune in dry weather.

Keep in mind: a strong pruning stimulates significantly the growth of new flowering shoots.

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2. Feed the soil around your roses

Your roses also need a little energy boost this time of year. The idea? Distribute a specific rose fertilizer rich in magnesium, ideal for abundant and quality blooms.

If you prefer a liquid fertilizer:

  • Generously moisten the soil around the roots before application to prevent burning the roots;
  • Carefully follow the dilution instructions on the packaging.

If you opt for a granulated fertilizer:

  • Lightly work the granules into the soil by scratching around the base;
  • Cover with 2 to 3 cm of soil;
  • Finally, water moderately.

The effective bonus: regularly add well-rotted compost or composted manure at the base of the rose to nourish the soil sustainably and encourage abundant flowering.

3. Prevent main diseases using natural treatments

Powdery mildew, rust, and black spot disease are among the common threats to your roses. A preventive gesture can avoid many issues!

Starting now, spray nettle or horsetail juice on all the foliage weekly; these natural solutions are highly effective against these fungal diseases. To further enhance this antifungal action, add a bit of diluted baking soda (1 teaspoon per liter of water) to your treatment.

To limit aphids? Nothing beats naturally installing repellent plants like lavender, mint, or even garlic nearby. A clever tip: attract ladybugs, who are fond of these pesky invaders that harm your roses.

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Are your roses ready to start this new season? Have you implemented any of these recommendations into your gardening routine? What has your experience been with the natural treatments mentioned here? Feel free to share your thoughts and advice in the comments; we can’t wait to hear from you!