☀️ SUMMER ROSE CARE MUST HAVES
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☀️ SUMMER ROSE CARE MUST HAVES
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Growing Wonder

Hi Felicia. I grow almost all own root roses, & there is no joy quite equal to that of seeing new basal breaks! My question is: is it possible to get new basal breaks from a Grafted rose? From near the bud union?

Hello Felicia! Could you explain to us when to buy an own root rose versus a grafted rose? I know you sell both in your store. I’m confused about which one is best.

Hi Haley - Yes! I do recommend spraying dormant oil on newly planted bare root roses before they start to wake up. This helps smother any overwintering pests that could be in hiding on the plant or jumped on after planting. It can be a great preventative step, especially if you're planting in an area of your garden with a history of pest issues. Just be sure to apply it on a dry day when temperatures are above freezing but still cool. And most importantly, make sure to follow the label directions for the oil so you don't over apply and risk burning the canes. A well-timed spray before bud break, combined with good airflow, proper watering, and organic feeding, will set your roses up for a strong, healthy start!

Welcome to another week of my First Year Bare Root Rose Care series. So far, we've chatted about two super important topics: getting your fertilizing routine just right and tackling dieback. This week, we're diving into what to expect from your bare root rose during its first year in your garden. Spoiler alert: it's all about those roots!

This month, we're diving into first-year bare root rose care, and this week we're tackling a biggie: fertilizers. I know, I know—everyone's always asking me what fertilizers to use on their bare root roses. But get ready for a surprise: you don't actually need to fertilize your new roses—at least not right away. Yep, you read that right. Here's the deal: if your soil is healthy and you're adding compost each year, your roses can thrive without fertilizer—or usually with just one good feeding in the spring. But if you're growing a rose-cutting garden or running a flower farm (hi, fellow overachievers!), you'll likely want to dial in their nutrition game to keep those blooms big and those stems strong for cut flower sales.

A new month means a new newsletter theme, and I'm so excited to focus on first-year bare root rose care. Spring has arrived, and the farm is coming to life with warmer temperatures. This week hit a delightful 75 degrees! Our newly planted bare root roses are thriving, showing over two inches of fresh leaf growth in just a few days. It's shaping up to be an exciting season for roses, and we're ready to hit the ground running!

I will receive my bare root roses while I'm still living in Phoenix, zone 9b. I plan to plant them in my summer location in zone 5b when I relocate the end of April. If I receive my bare root roses on the last shipping date in April can I wait to plant them when I relocate or should I plant them in pots as soon as I receive them?

Planting bare root roses in pots during winter/spring and then transplanting them into the ground in fall can offer certain advantages. However, I personally prefer planting bare root roses directly in the ground. This approach minimizes transplant shock and produces larger, healthier plants by the same point in the growing season compared to roses started in pots. Here's a closer look at the pros and cons of both methods:

This January has been unseasonably sunny and dry, and our roses are already beginning to push out buds—it looks like spring will be arriving early around here! At the farm, we're in the thick of bare root rose season this weekend, working hard to prepare and start fulfilling orders on Monday. I'm so excited to begin sending roses your way very soon!

This week has been better than the last for me—how about you? It felt so good to spend time outside on farm projects away from the chaos of the world. That's the beauty of gardens and farms—they ground us in a way that's hard to describe. I spent time on the farm getting our roses dormant-pruned and wrapping up the final preparations for our annual Bare Root Rose Collection launch. 

Roses have always been associated with beauty, elegance, and timeless charm. The good news? You don’t need a sprawling garden to enjoy their magic! With the right guidance, you can grow stunning roses in pots, even if you're a beginner or short on space. Pots are not only practical but also incredibly versatile, making them perfect for balconies, patios, or experimenting with rose varieties.

This week, we're tackling a hot topic that confuses many rose growers—bare root rose grades. If you've been puzzled over terms like “Grade 1,” “Grade 1.5,” “Grade 2,” or why some bare root roses are bigger than others, this is for you.

There's definitely a noticeable difference between grafted and own-root Koko Lokoroses, and in my experience, grafted plants perform much better. Four seasons ago, I added both types to my bare-root rose collection (I now only offer grafted), and about seven years ago, I set up a trial section in my field to compare their performance side by side. Today, the grafted Koko Loko roses consistently outshine the own-root ones in my commercial cut flower production field, producing nearly twice as many blooms throughout the growing season. The grafted plants are also hardier and more vigorous overall.

In rose production, reducing plant spacing to prioritize flower harvest over aesthetics and airflow is common, with 2-foot spacing in staggered rows within a 4-foot bed being a typical setup. However, this close spacing necessitates rigorous pruning/harvesting to maintain airflow and minimize disease pressure, along with regular fungicide or organic sprays to manage issues like black spot or mildew in wet conditions. I would avoid using t-posts to corral roses unless they are climbers needing support; with proper harvesting and pruning, corralling shouldn't be necessary and will just get in your way. Roses differ significantly from crops like dahlias or sweet peas in this regard.
I hope you had a magical Christmas and Hanukkah week, filled with joy and warmth! Here on the farm, I had a cozy celebration with family. Despite battling a cold (ugh), I still enjoyed the magic of Santa's annual visit to my house. Hopefully, Santa brought you something special for your garden—or maybe even a Menagerie Gift Card to snag some rose plants in 2025! Can you believe it's the final week of December? As the month winds down, we're wrapping up our focus on Bare Root Rose Planning with one of the most confusing topics for both new and seasoned rose growers—rootstocks.
I hope you're embracing the festive season as much as I am. I'm in full holiday mode—baking cookies, wrapping gifts, attending holiday concerts and enjoying seasonal gatherings. At the same time, I'm deep in bare root rose season! We've been busy harvesting, cleaning, tagging, sorting, and storing our roses in anticipation of the big January 2025 launch (so exciting!). While these weeks are chaotic, writing this weekly newsletter gives me a chance to pause, reflect, and find some calm amidst the bustle—just like sitting down with a good book or a warm cuppa, it's such a lovely way to reset so I hope you'll come along with me and do the same with your rose garden planning.
Are you feeling inspired and ready to dive deeper into your bare root rose planning journey? I know I am! Last week, we explored the best time to plant bare root roses and shared tips for marking your calendar with the ideal planting date. (Missed it? You can catch up here.) This week, we're shifting focus to another crucial step: selecting the perfect location for your bare root roses. The right spot can make all the difference in helping your roses flourish, so it's worth taking the time to plan carefully. Let's get started!
In her weekly newsletter, Growing Wonder with Felicia: Simple Tips for Thriving Roses, Gardens & Homes, Felicia shares expert advice to help you nurture beauty and joy in your life. Each week, we spotlight a special Subscriber Q&A, where Felicia answers your most pressing questions. Keep reading for this week’s insights and inspiration!
Things are getting busy here on the farm. Last week, we kicked off the harvest and grading of our bare root roses, and next week, orders from our partner farms will start rolling in. Bare root rose season is officially in full swing! In case you missed it, I recently shared an introduction to bare root roses (don't worry, you can catch up here). This week, I'm diving into a crucial topic—determining the right time to plant your bare root roses. Timing is everything when it comes to ensuring their long-term success.
It's hard to believe we're already bidding farewell to November's Holiday Prep theme. I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with love and joy, surrounded by those who matter most. Unfortunately, two members of our household caught the seasonal bug, leaving me exhausted this week. Fingers crossed I stay healthy! As we move into a new month, I'm excited to delve into a topic I truly adore—bare root roses!

What exactly is gall in roses, and is there a chance that some bare root roses we have purchased from online nurseries are infected with it? It seems to be a hot topic on rose Facebook groups periodically, and I don't know if I have ever actually checked for it when I receive my bare roots. FB groups act as if it is the dreaded leprosy of roses...is it something to be really worried about, and if it is, what is the action plan for an avid rose grower?

Whether you're a novice gardener or a seasoned rose grower, having a thorough understanding of the grading standards for own root roses is crucial for making informed decisions when buying bare root roses. In this informative blog post, we delve into the grading criteria used for own root roses, highlight the distinctions from grafted roses, and provide valuable insights into what to anticipate when purchasing own root roses.

As a best practice, we recommend planting your bare root rose as soon as you receive it. However, as we all know, sometimes life throws other plans our way! Keep reading to learn the proper steps for storing your rose if you can’t get it in the ground right away.

If you’re new to bare root roses or experiencing an issue with your newly planted bare root, we’re here to help! Check out these common planting & care mistakes to find out what may have gone wrong and to help you plan for next season.
While we recommend planting your bare root rose right away, we understand that life happens! Read more to learn how to “heel in” your rose for temporary storage before planting.
When shopping for roses, you may have noticed that they are assigned a grade of 1, 1.5, or 2. Read on to find out what this means and which grade you should choose for your garden!
At some point during the bare root rose planting & growing process, you may find yourself wondering, “Is this normal?” We’re here to help! We’ve compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions we receive from customers during the bare root rose season to help you determine whether your rose is healthy and progressing normally, or if there is something of concern that needs addressing.

If you’re new to growing roses, you might be wondering, “What does it mean for a rose to be own root or grafted?” Read below to learn about the difference between own root and grafted roses as well as which one you should choose for your garden.

So you’ve planted your bare root rose. Now what? Read on for my favorite tricks to keep your rose plants healthy and producing beautiful blooms their first year!
Bare root rose planting is quick and easy if you follow my special tips and tricks. Whether you plant your rose in a pot or the ground, within a few short months you will have beautiful rose blooms to enjoy.