If you’ve followed me over the years, you probably already know that I’m a big fan of fall planting. A little bit of that is pure pragmatism. I really don’t have time to spend in my own garden during the spring and summer months, not with everything going on in the greenhouse. But the bigger part is that potted, own-root roses greatly expand your time frame for getting roses into the garden because they are shipped leafed out and growing in their pots. All the roses require is a simple transplant and about 6 weeks to establish their roots before a hard freeze. In most parts of the country, that means September and October are ideal times to get roses started in your garden.
Fall also gives me the time to slow down and actually enjoy my own garden again. It’s a time to take in and care for the very thing that got me into this business in the first place, my roses! It is also a great time to take an appraisal of your garden as a whole. Your plants have likely reached full size and you can really see how things fit together. Maybe there is a color combination you’d like to make, maybe there’s an underperforming plant you want to reconsider, or maybe there’s a perfect space for something new. In my opinion, there is nothing more enjoyable than adding to my rose collection. There’s something so satisfying about planting something new for myself, even after years of growing professionally. Planting is an exercise in patience and potential and it makes me happy to think what each new rose will eventually look like in its space.
Fall, as it turns out, is not only a practical time to plant, but it also happens to be a botanically smart one as well. Cooler temperatures and more consistent moisture place less stress on a newly planted rose. The warmth of the summer sun is still held in the soil, making it workable and encouraging strong root development. Even as the days shorten and the plant begins easing toward dormancy there is a lot of work going on below the soil line. Your new roses will emerge in the spring with a nice head start on the season.
The Benefits of Fall Planting
Here are just a few of the many benefits from planting in the fall:
- You get a fuller picture of your garden. By fall, everything you planted in spring has filled in. It’s much easier to see the gaps, judge scale, and know exactly where a new rose will fit and how it will look next to what’s already there.
- The soil is very workable. You’re not fighting with half frozen, compacted, or muddy soil you’ll find at other times of the year. Fall soil is warm, easy to dig and easy for new roots to move through.
- Cooler, more moderate temperatures. The tempered conditions of fall are ideal for growth above and below the soil line.
- Roses need less irrigation to get established. Cooler air and lower evaporation mean you’re not out watering every day the way you might with a spring or summer planting.
- More mature plants. Most roses available in the fall have been pruned back in the summer to encourage branching.
- Transit is easier on shipped roses. Cooler temperatures are gentler on a rose making its way to you, which means it arrives in better condition and settles in faster.
- Spring head start. Roses established in the fall will start growing in the spring before the recommended planting date for new plants in the spring, and they won’t need an establishment period before they start putting on growth.
- Sales! Many nurseries, ours included, are looking to move plants out of the greenhouse to make way for the next year’s inventory. See what’s on sale at High Country Roses.
Getting Your New Roses in the Ground
Once you’re ready to plant, keep it simple:
- Choose a variety that’s appropriate for your growing zone. No matter what time of year, this is my number one recommendation for selecting roses. Find a zone appropriate variety and everything else is easier. Look up your USDA growing zone: HERE
- Prep the hole the same way you would in spring. Dig a hole that is about 18″ x 18″ and work the soil well. It’s always a good idea to make sure you have ample organic material breaking down and good drainage. Find our Planting Instructions: HERE
- Get the rose in the ground at least six weeks before a hard freeze. Nothing about freeze dates is perfect, especially in Colorado, so use this as a target, not a hard deadline. A little frost is not the end of the world, or of the growing season.
- Mulch heavily when you plant it. A generous layer of mulch helps newly planted roses retain moisture through the fall and insulates the crown (base) of the rose through out the winter. Don’t be afraid to apply 6″ of mulch even to smaller plants. Learn more about winter protecting roses: HERE
- Skip fertilizing new roses in the fall. Much of the growth on roses planted in the fall is beneath the soil level. It is tempting to try and push the rose to show signs of growth above grade as well. Unfortunately, young growth is more susceptible to freeze damage and can actually set the plant back in the following spring.
- Skip pruning roses in the fall. In general, I prefer to prune my roses in the spring. Pruning, like fertilizing, can stimulate growth. It’s best to be patient and let the plant emerge in the spring.
- Monitor moisture through fall and into winter. Your roses will still need water throughout the winter. Fortunately, with cooler temperatures, the water need is a lot less. Aim to maintain soil that is moist but not soaking wet. Frozen and dry soil is the worst scenario for your roses. Learn more about winter watering: HERE
One note: If you garden somewhere with especially harsh or early winters: fall planting isn’t a one size fits all recommendation. If you’re in a climate where hard freezes can arrive well ahead of schedule, it’s worth leaning toward earlier fall planting, or in some cases waiting for spring instead. If you’re not sure which camp you fall into, reach out and we’re happy to help you figure out the right timing for your area.
Don’t Be Intimidated
Good news, we are growing roses! These are not some delicate flower, and they don’t need to go in the ground in April or May to be successful. Remember, roses are tough plants and fall planting is much less of a gamble than you may be thinking. Planting this time of year doesn’t need to come with added worry if you apply a little forethought and choose your roses wisely. Heck, I even planted three roses last Thanksgiving (talk about being behind on projects), well after our expected freeze date and they came through this spring with flying colors. So enjoy these fall months. Get out there and add something to your garden.