It has finally arrived and none too soon – Fall. I am one of those persons whose favorite season is the one we are just starting. You know what I mean. By the end of Winter, which was my favorite in December, I am ready for Spring and the new life that springs forth. By the end of Spring, Summer is my favorite. Now that we have suffered through the heat of summer, the extra watering and all the bugs, I am ready for my current favorite season, Fall.

There are three reasons that I enjoy Fall so much. First, the cool mornings remind me of my years growing up, of getting up early with my father on the cool mornings to get things done before heading out for weekend activities. He was a wonderful gardener and always seemed to know how to get the most from a season. Second, rose blooms are absolutely beautiful in the Fall. They have had the year to develop and are now enjoying the cooler weather. Third, I don’t have to work as hard in the Fall.

If you keep those three reasons in mind, you will come to appreciate and enjoy the Fall as much as I do. Let’s take a brief look (yeah, right – this guy brief!) at each of these reasons.

Cool nights and mornings. This weather makes it easier to get out and work your roses. The garden doesn’t heat as quickly and the roses are less likely to suffer spray burn (shriveling from a combination of chemical spray and the heat of the day). The cooler mornings makes it more enjoyable to walk through you garden and finger prune those little side buds that will hinder the full development of that gorgeous single bloom you so want to enjoy.

Don’t forget that the cool nights and warm days can promote powdery mildew (looks just like its name). Be sure to include and rotate a fungicide such as Immunox or Copper Fungicide in your spray when the conditions are ripe or when you see the first sign of infection.

Large, beautiful blooms. The heat of summer rushes a bloom’s development. The cooler weather of Fall allows the petals to develop at a slower pace. This means larger and more vibrant blooms. Do your roses need fertilizer in October to promote larger blooms? Typically, no. If you are going to exhibit you might use a liquid fertilizer at the first of the month, but usually by the first of October, I have stopped fertilizing.

By not fertilizing, you are doing two things – making it easier on yourself and telling the roses that it is time to let Mother Nature do her thing. You don’t want to be encouraging new growth because this keeps the plant energy high in the plant and frosty nights can really take their toll on new growth and the overall winter hardiness of a rose.

Fall means less work. Just sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spray and cut. You MUST continue your weekly spray program. While blackspot may not be evident, the spores can still be present and settling in for a winter nap, only to reappear early in the Spring. Keep cutting your blooms to enjoy in your house or with friends. Just don’t cut so severely. As the month progresses, leave the blooms on the plant. Your roses will add to the artistry of the Fall colors. This also tells the plant as October comes to a close that it is time to prepare itself for Winter.

Now you have to admit – that was brief. It’s really pretty basic. Make sure you keep watering and spraying. It’s just easier in the Fall.

Last month I mentioned that you should be looking over your garden and deciding which plants you are going to replace. If you haven’t started, now is the time. The catalogs are coming out (some may already be out) and the popular roses sell out quickly. Since you can enjoy being in your garden more in the Fall, take the catalogs with you and work up your order.