Gardeners may spend less time outdoors as there is less gardening to do in autumn, but one easy job can help roses come back stronger next year.
It is incredibly important to prepare roses for winter now, and it is fairly simple to do so as long as you do not fertilise flowers, as this will encourage new growth that will not be able to survive the cold.
Instead, David Denyer, an expert gardener from the florists Eflorist, has shared that mulching our garden in autumn will result in healthier and bigger flowers when they bloom in spring.
In an interview with the Express, David said: “Mulching is basically putting a protective layer of organic material, like leaves or straw, around plants.
“For roses, it helps protect the roots from the cold by keeping the soil warmer and preventing it from freezing and thawing too quickly — it’s like a blanket for your garden.”
Why mulch roses in autumn?
Mulching adds organic matter to the soil that slowly breaks down over time, so your roses will get the nutrients they need without becoming damaged like they would if you fertilised them in autumn.
What makes mulching great is retaining moisture and smothering weeds so you will not have to worry about caring for roses in the wintertime.
David said: “Mulching helps roses stay healthier by keeping the soil moist, adding nutrients as it breaks down, and cutting down on weeds — all of which can improve rose health for the next growing season. allowing the plants to focus on healthy growth.”
“Besides protecting your roses in winter, mulching keeps the soil from drying out too fast, reduces weeds, and helps prevent soil erosion. As it decomposes, it adds nutrients to the soil. So, it’s a win-win for your garden.”
One of the most common reasons flowers die in winter is constantly freezing and then thawing due to temperature changes, which can expose them to cold damage. Mulching protects rose roots from freezing, so they stay healthy throughout the winter.
David said: “If you skip mulching, your roses can suffer from temperature swings, which can stress the roots. This could lead to weaker plants or fewer flowers the next year, so it’s worth the extra effort to mulch.”
How to mulch roses
The best time to mulch roses is usually late autumn, in late October or early November when the roses are beginning to go dormant.
You need only cover the soil around roses with organic material that will break down over time and provide the plant with nutrients.
David said: Some of the best natural materials for mulching roses are things like straw, shredded leaves, bark chips, or compost. They break down naturally over time and enrich the soil, which your roses will love.”
Then, to prevent fungal diseases, simply remove weeds, dead leaves, and debris around the rose bush and begin spreading the mulch.
David said: “To mulch your roses, just spread a two to three-inch layer of organic material around the base, but keep it a few inches away from the stems to avoid rot.
“In colder areas, you can pile the mulch a little higher for more protection. Remember to refresh the mulch in spring as it starts breaking down.”
When roses are ready to flower again next year, you will have improved their health, so you will have bigger and more abundant blooms to enjoy.
