Roses are truly the stars of any garden.
From their fragrant blooms to their timeless beauty, roses are a favorite for many gardeners, myself included.
But as October rolls around, the season starts to change, and so should your care routine for these stunning plants.
After years of growing roses, I’ve learned that October is a crucial month for ensuring your roses stay healthy through the winter and come back strong in the spring.
This is the time to wind down their growing season and prepare them for the colder months ahead.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps I’ve used to care for my roses in October, based on my personal experiences and trials.
With a little attention now, you’ll help your roses thrive through the winter and reward you with vibrant blooms next year.
Understanding Roses in October
By the time October arrives, your roses are transitioning out of their growing season.
They’ve likely given you beautiful blooms all summer long, but now they’re getting ready to go dormant for the winter.
In my garden, October is when I start to see the last of the blooms fade, and the growth begins to slow.
This is perfectly natural and nothing to worry about.
In fact, it’s a signal that it’s time to start focusing on winter preparation.
While roses can be hardy, they do need some care in the fall to protect them from the upcoming cold.
During October, the focus shifts from encouraging growth and blooms to helping the plant conserve energy and prepare its roots for winter dormancy.
Understanding this natural cycle will help guide how you care for your roses during this important month.
Pruning Roses in October: A Gentle Approach
One of the first questions many gardeners ask is whether they should prune their roses in October.
In my experience, October is not the time for heavy pruning.
Roses are preparing to go dormant, and pruning too much can stimulate new growth that won’t have time to harden off before the first frost.
I made this mistake a few years ago when I aggressively pruned my roses in October, thinking I was doing them a favor.
Unfortunately, that new growth got hit hard by an early frost, and the plant suffered as a result.
Instead, I recommend taking a more gentle approach in October.
Focus on removing any dead or damaged wood, as well as any weak or spindly growth.
You can also lightly trim the top of the plant to prevent it from becoming top-heavy during winter storms.
But save the major pruning for late winter or early spring, when the plant is ready to wake up and push out new growth.
In October, you’re just tidying things up and helping the plant prepare for the cold months ahead.
Deadheading: To Deadhead or Not to Deadhead?
Deadheading, or removing spent blooms, is something we do all summer long to encourage more flowers.
But by October, I stop deadheading my roses.
Why?
Because I want the plant to start focusing on dormancy, not new blooms.
Roses need to slow down in October to prepare for winter, and deadheading encourages more growth, which is the opposite of what we want at this time of year.
Instead, I let the last of the blooms fade naturally.
Sometimes, they’ll even produce rose hips, which are the fruit of the rose plant.
These hips not only add visual interest to the garden in fall but also signal to the plant that it’s time to slow down.
Plus, they can be harvested and used in teas and jams if you’re into that!
By allowing the roses to keep their spent blooms, you’re helping them conserve energy and gradually enter their dormant phase.
Watering Roses in October: Finding the Right Balance
Watering in October can be a bit tricky.
The temperatures are cooler, so roses don’t need as much water as they did during the hot summer months, but you also don’t want the plant to dry out completely before winter.
In my experience, the key is to keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy.
Roses don’t like to sit in waterlogged soil, and overwatering can lead to root rot, especially as the weather cools down.
I usually check the soil around my roses every week or so in October.
If it feels dry a few inches below the surface, I’ll give the plant a deep watering.
But if it’s still damp, I hold off for a few more days.
One thing I’ve learned is that it’s important to give your roses one final deep watering before the ground freezes.
This ensures the roots have enough moisture to get through the winter.
After that, I let nature take its course.
In regions where the winters are particularly harsh, you might need to cut back on watering earlier, but in most areas, a deep soak in late October will help set your roses up for winter success.
Mulching Roses for Winter Protection
Mulching is one of the most important things you can do for your roses in October to protect them through the winter.
Roses are tough, but their roots benefit from a layer of insulation to shield them from freezing temperatures.
In my garden, I always apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around the base of my roses in mid to late October.
I typically use shredded leaves or compost, but straw, pine needles, or even bark mulch can work just as well.
The mulch helps regulate the soil temperature and retain moisture, both of which are crucial as winter approaches.
One important thing to remember is to keep the mulch away from the base of the rose plant itself.
Piling mulch directly against the stems can create a moist environment that encourages rot or disease.
Instead, spread the mulch in a ring around the base of the plant, leaving a few inches of space between the mulch and the stems.
This protective layer will help your roses make it through the winter and come back strong in the spring.
Fertilizing Roses: Time to Stop
By October, it’s time to stop fertilizing your roses.
Fertilizer encourages new growth, and as I mentioned earlier, the last thing you want is tender new shoots that can’t survive the winter cold.
I’ve made the mistake of fertilizing too late in the season before, and the result was weak growth that got hit hard by the first frost.
Now, I stop fertilizing my roses in mid-August to give them time to harden off before winter.
If you haven’t fertilized in a while, resist the urge to give your roses a boost in October.
They don’t need it, and it can actually do more harm than good at this point in the season.
Instead, focus on helping the plant go dormant and prepare for the colder months ahead.
Come spring, you can start feeding your roses again to support their new growth and blooms.
Protecting Roses from Frost and Cold
One of the biggest challenges of caring for roses in October is protecting them from early frosts and the cold weather that’s just around the corner.
If you live in a region with mild winters, your roses might not need much extra protection, but in areas where temperatures regularly drop below freezing, it’s important to take some precautions.
In my garden, I’ve found that using a rose cone or burlap wrap can help protect more tender varieties from winter damage.
These protective coverings create a barrier between the plant and the cold wind, which can be especially harsh on roses.
If you decide to use a rose cone, make sure to cut some holes for ventilation so the plant doesn’t overheat on warmer winter days.
Another option is to mound soil or mulch around the base of the plant to insulate the roots.
I usually pile up a mound of compost around the crown of the rose in late October, which helps protect the most vulnerable part of the plant.
This is especially helpful for hybrid tea roses, which are more susceptible to winter damage than some of the hardier varieties.
With the right protection, your roses can make it through even the coldest winters and come back strong in the spring.
Dealing with Pests and Disease in October
While October isn’t typically a time when pests and diseases are rampant, it’s still a good opportunity to inspect your roses and address any lingering issues before winter.
In my garden, I’ve occasionally noticed fungal diseases like black spot or powdery mildew still hanging around in the fall.
If you spot any signs of disease, now is the time to remove any infected leaves or stems to prevent the problem from overwintering and coming back with a vengeance in the spring.
I always make sure to clean up any fallen leaves or plant debris from around the base of my roses as well.
This helps reduce the risk of pests or diseases taking hold during the winter months.
One thing I’ve learned is that a little bit of cleanup in October can save you a lot of headaches come spring.
It’s also a good time to check for pests like aphids, which may still be lingering on the leaves.
If you spot any, treat them with a mild insecticidal soap or neem oil.
By addressing these issues now, you’ll set your roses up for a healthier, more pest-free growing season next year.
Transplanting or Planting New Roses in October
If you’re thinking about transplanting or planting new roses, October can be a good time to do it—if you do it early enough.
Roses transplanted in early October still have enough time to establish their roots before the ground freezes.
In my experience, transplanting roses in October works best when done in the first half of the month.
This gives the plant a few weeks to settle in before winter.
When transplanting, dig up as much of the root system as possible and replant the rose at the same depth it was originally growing.
Water it deeply after transplanting to help it establish in its new location.
October is also a good time to plant bare-root roses, which can be found at garden centers or online nurseries.
Planting them now gives them a head start on root growth over the winter, so they’ll be ready to take off in the spring.
Just make sure to water new transplants well and apply a layer of mulch to protect the roots through the winter.
Final Thoughts
Caring for roses in October is all about helping them wind down from their growing season and preparing them for winter.
By focusing on light pruning, proper watering, mulching, and protecting the plant from frost, you can ensure that your roses survive the winter and come back strong in the spring.
In my years of gardening, I’ve found that a little extra attention in October goes a long way in keeping roses healthy and beautiful.
With the right care, your roses will reward you with vibrant blooms year after year.
So as you put your garden to bed for the winter, don’t forget to give your roses the care they deserve—they’ll thank you when spring arrives.
Happy gardening!