January
Summer- DeadheadDeadhead + monitor mites
Two-spotted mite loves the hot dry weeks — hose foliage undersides.
Care calendar
Rose care, month by month
Roses reward attention. Here's what to do in your climate zone — pruning windows, feeding, black spot prevention and watering — so you don't miss the moment.
Your climate zone
Warm summers, cool winters — Melbourne, Sydney basin, Adelaide.
This month
July in your temperate garden
Winter · Temperate
- PruneWinter hard prune
Main annual prune mid-July — reduce by a third, open the centre, remove weak and crossing wood.
- Black spot watchWinter clean-up spray
Lime sulphur on bare canes and soil surface to reset the season.
The full year
February
Summer- FeedAutumn feed
Final feed of the season sets up the autumn flush.
March
Autumn- Black spot watchAutumn black spot watch
Autumn rain restarts black spot — resume fortnightly sprays if wet.
April
Autumn- PruneLight autumn tidy
Trim tall canes by 1/3 to prevent winter wind-rock.
May
Autumn- PlantOrder bare-root roses
Order now for June/July delivery.
June
Winter- PlantPlant bare-root roses
Prime planting window. Soak roots, plant graft just above soil, water in.
Julynow
Winter- PruneWinter hard prune
Main annual prune mid-July — reduce by a third, open the centre, remove weak and crossing wood.
- Black spot watchWinter clean-up spray
Lime sulphur on bare canes and soil surface to reset the season.
August
Winter- FeedFirst spring feed
As buds swell, apply a balanced rose fertiliser and water in.
- MulchRefresh mulch
5cm of lucerne or aged compost. Keep clear of the crown.
September
Spring- Black spot watchStart preventive black spot spray
Fortnightly potassium bicarb + oil once leaves are out. Spring rain is the main trigger.
October
Spring- DeadheadDeadhead first flush
Cut to a strong outward 5-leaflet for a clean next flush.
November
Spring- FeedSummer feed
Second feed for the summer flush; water deeply first.
- WaterDeep-water twice weekly
Long soak at the base, mornings; mulch in place.
December
SummerWater, deadhead, enjoy.
Guidance is a starting point — real conditions in your garden always win. Adjust to actual weather.