How to cut down roses without screwing up
Rose bushes are a beautiful addition to any garden. However, if they look like in my yard (see the picture) they have become overgrown or diseased, and need to be cut down to the ground. If you’re unsure of how to do this, don’t worry. So am I.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the process of cutting rose bushes to the ground so that they will grow again. I don’t know anything so I will just tell you what my neighbour taught me.
Choose the right time
The best time to cut rose bushes down to the ground is – in some countries – late winter or early spring, just before new growth appears. For me the time was in the end of April, but this depends on your climate. In Finland, it can snow or be +20 Celsius, so you never know at this time of the year.
Prepare your tools
Before you start cutting your rose bushes, make sure you have the right tools. You’ll need a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears or loppers, as well as thick gloves to protect your hands from spikes. It’s also a good idea to disinfect your tools with rubbing alcohol or bleach to prevent the spread of disease. I didn’t know this because I use alcohol for different purposes.
Cut the rose bushes to the ground
First, you can remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Next, cut all of the remaining branches down to the ground. Make sure to cut at a 45-degree angle to prevent water from pooling on the cut ends. The lenght of the cut ends should be around 10 cm. Some sources say 20 cm. My neighbour said 5 cm. So my tactic was to try all lengths and hope some of them will survive.
Water and Fertilize
After cutting your rose bushes down to the ground, it’s important to water them deeply (if the rain doesn’t do the job) and fertilize them. This will provide the plants with the nutrients they need to produce new growth.
Wait for new growth
Then it’s time to wait for new growth to appear. This can take a few weeks to a few months, depending on your climate and the health of the plants. Be patient, in Finland, the new growth will probably be more visible next spring.
In conclusion, cutting rose bushes down to the ground can be a daunting task, but it’s a necessary one if you want to ensure healthy, beautiful plants. Or: you might be just guessing what your doing and they will never grow back! I will tell you next year how did it go.
