January Rose Growing
...one of a series, for a complete year!

January Rose Growing is just one part of a yearly set. Having a calendar of what I should be doing in my rose garden for each month of the year has always been a great help. It has provided a plan for success and prevented me from re-inventing the wheel. Connect with all the pages and build a yearly plan for your rose garden.

The first month in a new year - not always an especially good time for gardening. If the winter has been mild, it can also mean lots of rain.

The rose canes may show signs of new growth but resist the temptation to start pruning or removing the winter protection you have around your roses.

There could be a freeze or two left in winter. If a sunny day should arrive, here are some things to do in your rose beds.

Things To Do For January Rose Growing:

· Finish stripping old leaves off your rose bushes and more importantly, tidy up any debris left on the ground.

· Look over your rose bushes and prune any dead wood from the canes.

· If the ground isn't frozen or soaked, move old rose bushes or plant new bushes (bare-root). Bare-root roses are shipped from specialty rose nurseries in the fall (November/December) or in the early spring (March).

· Dormant oil and copper spray can be used as a preventive against blackspot spores, powdery mildew, downy mildew and overwintering insect eggs, helping alleviate early symptoms of these problems during the next growing season.

Spraying the rose canes Spraying the rose canes should be done twice during January/February and must be applied before new foliage appears on the bushes, as it will damage the leaves. Care should be taken as copper spray can stain wood surfaces or vinyl.

Always read the instructions that come with any chemical you plan to apply to the garden.

Recent studies have shown that Lime Sulfur has more limited effect on disease control - in our climate copper and dormant oil seem to be more effective. It is still too early to work the soil, especially if the ground is really wet.

- The best occupation for the rose grower in January is to read the rose catalogs and look for new roses that will look great in the garden!

It may also be a good time to catch up on your reading...check out the many good rose books at the library or your favorite bookstore...or maybe consider joining your local rose society!

Return to Home Page from January Rose Growing