Roses are the queens of the home garden. However, to ensure that they bloom year after year, they should be properly cared for in spring. There are three important tasks that every amateur gardener should do in April: digging, cutting and fertilizing.
Rose care in April: The most important things in brief
Rose care in April focuses on growth. The three most important tasks that promote growth and flower formation are: digging the young plants, spring pruning and fertilizing before flower formation. Below we list in detail what should be done and when.
Hill up the young plants
Rose varieties that are planted in autumn need winter protection. To protect the sensitive roots and the grafting area on the crown insert from frost and dryness, cover them with a 10 cm thick protective layer of soil, grass clippings or leaves and garden fiber. By the way, potted plants are also piled up. Wood wool and straw are used for them.
They begin in spring, around mid-MarchYoung plants to grow. If you have already gained about 15 cm in height, then you have to pile it down. Beginning to mid-April is the right time to remove the protective layer. You should check for pests. Mice often make themselves comfortable in the leaves and then attack the branches and shoots of the young plants. April is the right time to drive away the rodents.
Potted plants are very sensitive to frost - so they are usually piled up later. The end of April is the right time for this.
Pruning roses in spring: From the beginning of April
Almost all types of roses need pruning in spring. The cutting measures can vary greatly depending on the species.
1. Bed roses and hybrid rose varieties that thrive outdoors all year round are shortened to around 20 cm. In older specimens, perennial shoots that already have no or few flowers can be cut off close to the ground. This rejuvenation measure keeps the plant healthy and promotes new growth.
2. Shrubs are also shortened. Old, ailing and inwardly growing shoots are cut off close to the ground. The rest is cut back to 4 eye buds.
3. Climbing plants only need rejuvenation pruning in spring. They are therefore not shortened. However, individual old and woody shoots are completely cut off.
4. Potted plants and small-growing varieties are only thinned out a little if necessary. They don't need any pruning and can get through the summer just fine without one.
The right time for this is around the beginning to mid-April, when the permanent frost has already passed. If you cut them too early, the shoots can freeze. If you cut them back too late, the roses will not be able to recover in time and flower production will decline.
If the weather is particularly warm in spring and the roses have already formed leaves, you can still cut them back. It is very important to remove the wild shoots. Such shoots can be quickly identified because they grow directly on the root collar. They often sprout earlier than the grafted areas on the bush. It is best to cut the wild shoots as deep as possible with sharp scissors.
In spring, around the beginning of April, frozen plant parts can also be cut off. These branches are dark brown in color, look limp and do not produce leaves.
Rose care in April: fertilize, fertilize, fertilize!
The next step for good rose care in spring is fertilizing. Roses are clearly heavy feeders and need a lot of nutrients during the spring growth phase. The right time is immediately after the pruning in April. Both long-term commercial fertilizers and some home remedies can be used.
- Young plants need phosphorus and nitrogen so that they can grow well, develop their roots and produce many flowers. A combination of long-term fertilizer and horn shavings, which are worked directly into the soil, is best.
- After the first year you can also give the roses mineral fertilizer and compost.
- Epsom salt contains magnesium and will promote leaf formation. However, you should only use the home remedy if the soil has been tested and there is a magnesium deficiency. Otherwise you will over-fertilize the roses. If necessary, work about 1/4 cup of Epsom salt into the soil per shrub every 4 weeks.
- Algae are rich in potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen and promote root formation.
- Alfalfa pellets are made from dry organic alfalfa. They promote flower formation and can extend the flowering period of roses.
Roses need extra attentionat the start of the gardening season. However, if you care for them properly, they will thank you with wonderful flowers and a longer flowering period.
