How to plant roses outdoors in August and September in different regions of the country

Roses are one of the most beloved flowers among gardeners, grown throughout virtually every region of the Russian Federation. Many gardeners are under the misconception that they should only be planted after the onset of stable spring warmth.

Autumn plantings of crops that will delight with their blooms next year thrive in the temperature and humidity conditions typical of August and September. Autumn is considered the optimal time for planting seedlings.

Roses are planted throughout Russia, except in the Far North. The northern climate is unsuitable for growing flowers sensitive to temperature and humidity. In August and September, you can plant rose seedlings in the central part of the European part of the Russian Federation, the Moscow region, and the southern part of the European North. In the central part of the Russian Federation, rose planting ends in late October, and in the southern part of the Russian North, in late September.

Pros and cons of planting roses in August-September

August and September are favorable months for planting roses. The soil at this time has the optimal temperature and natural moisture content.

Monitor the temperature. It's important that the daytime temperature is no lower than 10°C, and that the nighttime temperature doesn't drop below 5°C. Extreme heat, like cold, negatively impacts the adaptation process. The ideal temperature range for planting roses is 5°C at night to 15°C during the day.

Depending on your region, you should plan the planting time for rose seedlings. If the first frost in your area occurs in mid-October, the flowers should be planted before September 15th. This month will give the seedlings time to root and adapt to the soil. If you follow these guidelines, the roses will delight you with their first blooms in the spring.

Experienced gardeners don't recommend planting roses in August. Since the flowers will have optimal growing conditions, they can develop buds and prepare for budding. However, the rose won't have time to fully bloom before the cold weather sets in. This stresses the plant, which will negatively impact its wintering. The plant may die, devoting its resources to flowering rather than preparing for winter.

The best time to plant roses is up to the gardener. Both planting periods can be used to enjoy the pink blooms, from May to August.

How to prepare rose seedlings for planting in the fall

When choosing rose seedlings, carefully consider your selection. They should be purchased from specialized stores, agro-farms, and reputable suppliers. If you plan to plant immediately after purchase, choose specimens whose root system you can visually inspect.

When selecting a rose seedling, it is important that the root system is:

• evenly developed in different directions;
• be brown in color;
• have no dark spots or rot.

The seedling itself should have at least three strong, deep green main branches. The shoots should have thorns and a dense trunk.

When purchasing a rose seedling in a container, ensure the plant is firmly anchored in the soil and that the soil pulls away from the sides of the container without difficulty. The existing leaves should be fresh, free of dry spots, damage, or spots.

Preparing a seedling for planting

Before planting, seedlings should be prepared for better adaptation:

• immerse each plant in water for 24 hours so that the liquid covers the root system;
• dried or weak roots should be removed;
• adjust the length of the root system to 30 cm. There is no need for larger root sizes, as it will be more difficult for them to adapt to the substrate;
• Trim the leaves from the trunk. Don't tear them off. It's better to cut them with scissors or a special gardening tool;
• green shoots need to be shortened to 30 cm;
• Cut off the buds below the graft. Failure to do so will result in the rose producing empty shoots that will rob the flower of nutrients and moisture.

Experts recommend spraying the plant with a 3% copper sulfate solution to strengthen each bush and make it resistant to rot, pests, and fungal diseases. Before planting, the root system can be dipped in a water solution containing cow manure (1 liter of cow manure per 10 liters of water).

How to choose a location for planting roses

Before planting, carefully consider the site. Experience has shown that rose gardens thrive and bloom in sunny, wind-free areas sheltered from northerly winds.

It's not recommended to plant roses in the shade of buildings or near bushes and trees. The flowers will need warmth, light, and nutrition. They will reach for the sun, be weak, and vulnerable to disease and pests.

It's also best to avoid areas with excessive moisture. If excess moisture frequently collects in the furrows, or if the groundwater level rises after rain, you should find a higher elevation. Overwatered soil will cause rot in the root system.

Soil quality requirements

Roses thrive, grow, and bloom in fertile soil rich in micronutrients. Care should be taken to ensure the quality of the soil in which you plan to plant your seedlings.

The soil should be prepared as follows:

• digging to a depth of at least 40 cm;
• addition of lime or dolomite flour in case of high acidity;
• adding peat or compost if the soil is clayey.

After digging with a garden tool, harrowing is carried out to break up large pieces of soil and ensure better aeration.

Methods of planting roses

It's important to maintain optimal spacing between plants to ensure each plant receives sufficient light, moisture, and nutrients. To do this, prepare planting holes. Each hole should be at least:

• 40 cm deep;
• 50 cm wide.

If the area of ​​the site allows, ensure that the diameter of each planting hole is 70 cm.

Distance between roses

The distance between planting holes varies depending on the rose variety. Taller roses can be planted closer together, while bushier plants will require more space.

Two ways to plant roses in autumn

Roses are planted in two proven ways:

• Dry method. Using a trowel, create a small mound of soil collected from the bottom of the hole in the planting hole. The plant is placed on top of the mound, 5-10 cm deep in the center. The root system is carefully distributed over the surface of the mound. Then, the hole is filled with soil and lightly compacted.
• Wet method. This method involves immersing the seedling in a liquid, which is then poured into the bottom of the planting hole. The liquid is prepared using a sodium humate solution, diluted with 3 liters of water and 10 g of dry matter. At least 3 liters of the prepared solution should be poured into each hole. After the seedling is immersed in the liquid, soil is added to the bottom of the hole and compacted.

After planting, water the soil around the rose to prevent any air pockets in the hole. Both methods have proven effective among gardeners.

Caring for roses

After planting, seedlings need to be provided with regular and comprehensive care, such as:

• A high-quality insulating cover to protect the plant from low temperatures. A special covering should be purchased that will ensure optimal air circulation and prevent fungal or mold growth on the soil or flowers;
• Water when the soil dries out. Autumn days and nights are quite damp, so regular watering won't be necessary.

Tips from experienced gardeners

Experienced gardeners recommend following these rules when planting roses in the fall:

• Do not use peat substrate alone as a planting medium. This type of soil contains a lot of moisture, which causes root rot;
• It's best to plant roses in loamy soil. It's rich in nutrients and minerals and provides favorable aeration.
• It's important to position the seedling's root system optimally. This will help the plant establish roots in the soil and survive the winter.
• Do not water with cold water.

The recommendations of experienced gardeners are based on statistics and the basics of floriculture.

Reviews

It's worth reading reviews from experienced gardeners to ensure optimal conditions for the development of your rose garden and to enjoy the intoxicating aroma and lush blooms of rose bushes in the spring.

Elena Pankratova, Penza, 47 years old. I adore roses and only recently dared to plant them at my dacha. A neighbor gave me some extra floribunda rose seedlings, and I decided to plant them in the fall. For three years now, I've been planting them in mid-September, spacing them 50 cm apart. First, I water the hole with humate fertilizer and bury the seedling. In the spring, at the end of May, my rose garden is fragrant.

Alena Maksimenko, 58, from Zhukovsky. I've been planting roses at my dacha near Moscow for eight years now. I buy bush roses for them. They're the most undemanding when it comes to soil. I fertilize the soil well with cow manure a couple of weeks before planting. I space the bushes 80-90 cm apart. When the first frosts arrive, I cover the flowers with spunbond.

Ekaterina Vieva, Kostroma, 64. I used to plant roses only in the spring, thinking that was the best time. But one time, due to travel, I missed May and June. I decided to plant them in September. You see, the plants grew and bloomed much more vigorously the following year. A rose garden planted in the fall produces large, strong buds and is less susceptible to disease.