preparing your roses for fall & winter:

august tasks in the cottage garden

As August settles in and the long, golden days begin to shorten, it’s time to turn our attention to preparing our beloved roses and gardens for the transition from summer to fall. Here at Old Castle Cottage, my roses are still blooming beautifully, but I know that what I do now will help them stay strong through the cooler months ahead. Whether you’re in Zone 6b like I am—or a bit warmer or cooler—August is the month to slow down, tidy up, and give your roses a little extra care. If you want to know what roses I currently have planted click here.

 

1) Stop Fertilizing - If you haven’t already, stop fertilizing your roses by mid-August. We want to avoid encouraging new, tender growth that won’t have time to harden before the first frost. Let your roses naturally begin to wind down for the season. If you have been using Espoma Rose-Tone or any other organic blend, simply pause until next Spring

 

2. Light Pruning and Deadheading - Continue to deadhead spent blooms to keep your plants tidy and encourage a few last flushes of flowers. However, avoid any heavy pruning this late in the season. Save that for late winter or early spring. I wrote a post on how to prune here. Light shaping is fine, especially for climbers or floppy shrub roses, but be gentle. We’re guiding, not shocking. After they finish their Summer Flush you can remove dead, damaged or diseased branches

 

3. Deep Watering/Mulching - August heat can be brutal, even as the nights start to cool. Water deeply once or twice a week, especially if there’s no rain. A slow soak at the base of the plant (not the leaves) helps encourage strong roots and keeps black spot at bay. 

 

Tip: A good layer of mulch (2–3 inches) will also help retain moisture and keep roots cool. While you don’t need to mound or heavily mulch your roses just yet when the first hard frost hits (usually November here in Connecticut) you should be ready to mound compost around the crown of each plant and cover with mulch I use chopped leaves.

 

4. Continue to Monitor for Pests & Disease - Late summer often brings a resurgence of pests like aphids and Japanese beetles. Check the undersides of leaves and remove pests by hand or with a blast of water. Black spot and powdery mildew can still be a problem in humid August air—remove affected leaves and ensure good airflow between plants. See my post here on rose diseases and pests. As fall continues you need to tidy the garden floor. Remove fallen petals and any diseased leaves to reduce overwintering pests and fungi. A clean base around your roses goes a long way in keeping them healthy as the temperatures drop.

 

5. Plan Ahead for Fall - This is a wonderful time to take note of what’s working in your rose garden—and what isn’t. Which roses are thriving? Which companions play well together? Snap photos, sketch out ideas, and order any new bare-root roses you’re dreaming of planting next spring. I order my bareroots from David Austin and Jackson and Perkins if you order from Jackson and Perkins use code OLDCASTLE15 for 15%off.  If you’re growing roses in containers, start thinking about how you’ll protect them for winter (especially in zones 6 and colder).

my favorite companion tasks this month

While I’m in the garden, I also take time to:

in the cottage garden, every season has a purpose

August may feel like the winding down of summer, but it’s really the beginning of a beautiful transition. Your roses will thank you in spring for the gentle care and attention you give them now.

 

Tag me on Instagram @oldcastlecottage and share how your roses are doing this

August—I’d love to see what’s blooming in your garden. 

Happy gardening!

#OldCastleCottage #CottageGarden #JulyGarden #LymeAwareness #HotHumidJuly #ConnecticutGardening #GardenRestoration #RealGardensRealLife #PollinatorGarden #CottageCoreGarden