Plant Roses: Fall's milder weather and warm, workable soil make this the easiest time to plant roses. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, water well after planting, and finish with 2 to 3 inches of mulch to help hold moisture, protect roots as temperatures drop, and reduce weeds.

Roots settle in now and get a head start before winter. Come spring, your roses will be ready to grow. No need to wait to shop, though. Just choose a future delivery date at checkout, so your rose arrives right when you're ready. 
 
Read our step-by-step planting guide. 

Keep Fertilizing If Your First Frost Is Six Weeks Away or More: Keep feeding your roses on a steady schedule for strong growth and abundant blooms. We recommend using Founders Fish Fertilizer™ every four to six weeks for all roses or Boost and Bloom™ for roses that are at least two years old. 
 

Protect Against Disease: The Southeast's consistent humidity, high heat, and summer thunderstorms make roses more susceptible to fungal issues like black spot. Keep in mind that you cannot cure leaves that are already infected, but you can stop the fungus from spreading to new growth. Stay ahead of problems by applying a quality fungicide to keep healthy foliage protected. Explore our recommended options for reliable protection. 
 

Keep an Eye on Pests: Check your roses regularly for common pests like spider mites. At the first sign of trouble, treat with a gentle insecticidal soap or an insecticide spray, repeating as directed to bring an infestation under control.  
 

Water: Roses like consistent moisture without soggy roots. Water deeply about one to two times per week, letting the soil dry slightly between waterings. Deep watering encourages deep, strong roots, and watering at the base keeps the foliage dry to help prevent disease. Want to see exactly how it's done? Watch our quick video on how to properly water roses. 
 

Deadheading: Keep the blooms coming by snipping off spent flowers throughout the season. Cut just above the first set of five healthy leaves at a slight angle, so water runs off. Removing faded blooms helps your rose put its energy into fresh growth and more beautiful flowers. Watch our quick how-to video and see just how easy deadheading can be. 

Stop Fertilizing If Your First Frost Is Six Weeks Away or Less: This gives your roses time to harden off for winter instead of pushing tender new growth right as cold weather arrives. 

Protect Against Disease: The weather can be hot and humid, creating a prime breeding ground for fungal diseases like black spot and powdery mildew on roses. Keep in mind that you cannot cure leaves that are already infected, but you can stop the fungus from spreading to new growth. Stay ahead of problems by applying a quality fungicide to keep healthy foliage protected. Explore our recommended options for reliable protection. 
 

Keep an Eye on Pests: Check your roses regularly for common pests like spider mites. At the first sign of trouble, treat with a gentle insecticidal soap or an insecticide spray, repeating as directed to bring an infestation under control.  
 
 

Water: Roses like consistent moisture without soggy roots. Water deeply about one to two times per week, letting the soil dry slightly between waterings. Deep watering encourages deep, strong roots, and watering at the base keeps the foliage dry to help prevent disease. Want to see exactly how it's done? Watch our quick video on how to properly water roses. 

Deadheading: Keep the blooms coming by snipping off spent flowers throughout the season. Cut just above the first set of five healthy leaves at a slight angle, so water runs off. Removing faded blooms helps your rose put its energy into fresh growth and more beautiful flowers. Watch our quick how-to video and see just how easy deadheading can be. 

Keep Fertilizing If Your First Frost Is Six Weeks Away or More: Keep feeding your roses on a steady schedule for strong growth and abundant blooms. We recommend using Founders Fish Fertilizer™ every four to six weeks for all roses or Boost and Bloom™ for roses that are at least two years old. 

Protect Against Disease: Late-summer dew and early autumn rain bring cool, humid weather to the Pacific Northwest, creating ideal conditions for fungal diseases like black spot and powdery mildew. Keep in mind that you cannot cure leaves that are already infected, but you can stop the fungus from spreading to new growth. Stay ahead of problems by applying a quality fungicide to keep healthy foliage protected. Explore our recommended options for reliable protection. 
 

Keep an Eye on Pests: Check your roses regularly for common pests like spider mites. At the first sign of trouble, treat with a gentle insecticidal soap or an insecticide spray, repeating as directed to bring an infestation under control.   
 

Water: Roses like consistent moisture without soggy roots. Water deeply about one to two times per week, letting the soil dry slightly between waterings. Deep watering encourages deep, strong roots, and watering at the base keeps the foliage dry to help prevent disease. Want to see exactly how it's done? Watch our quick video on how to properly water roses. 

Stop Deadheading Now: During the growing season, removing spent blooms tells your roses to keep producing flowers. When you stop deadheading, she'll set hips instead. Those hips are her signal to wind down and prepare for winter dormancy. 

Plant Roses: Fall's milder weather and warm, workable soil make this the easiest time to plant roses. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, water well after planting, and finish with 2 to 3 inches of mulch to help hold moisture, protect roots as temperatures drop, and reduce weeds. 
 
Roots settle in now and get a head start before winter. Come spring, your roses will be ready to grow. No need to wait to shop, though. Just choose a future delivery date at checkout, so your rose arrives right when you're ready. 
 
Timing matters just as much as technique. Count back 6 weeks from your area's first frost date to find your planting deadline, then click here to find yours. 
 
Read our step-by-step planting guide. 

Stop Fertilizing: About 6 weeks before your first frost date (find yours here). This gives your roses time to harden off for winter rather than pushing new tender growth when cold weather is near. 

Protect Against Disease: September in the Northeast brings cooling night temperatures and heavy morning dew, a combination that frequently triggers fungal diseases like black spot and powdery mildew on roses. Keep in mind that you cannot cure leaves that are already infected, but you can stop the fungus from spreading to new growth. Stay ahead of problems by applying a quality fungicide to keep healthy foliage protected. Explore our recommended options for reliable protection. 

Keep an Eye on Pests: Check your roses regularly for common pests like spider mites. At the first sign of trouble, treat with a gentle insecticidal soap or an insecticide spray, repeating as directed to bring an infestation under control.   

Water: Roses like consistent moisture without soggy roots. Water deeply about once per week, letting the soil dry slightly between waterings. Deep watering encourages deep, strong roots, and watering at the base keeps the foliage dry to help prevent disease. Want to see exactly how it's done? Watch our quick video on how to properly water roses. 
 

Stop Deadheading Now: During the growing season, removing spent blooms tells your roses to keep producing flowers. When you stop deadheading, she'll set hips instead. Those hips are her signal to wind down and prepare for winter dormancy. 

Plant Roses: Fall's milder weather and warm, workable soil make this the easiest time to plant roses. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, water well after planting, and finish with 2 to 3 inches of mulch to help hold moisture, protect roots as temperatures drop, and reduce weeds. 
 
Roots settle in now and get a head start before winter. Come spring, your roses will be ready to grow. No need to wait to shop, though. Just choose a future delivery date at checkout, so your rose arrives right when you're ready. 
 
Timing matters just as much as technique. Count back six weeks from your area's first frost date to find your planting deadline, then click here to find yours. 
 
Read our step-by-step planting guide. 
 

Stop Fertilizing: About six weeks before your first frost date (find your here). This gives your roses time to harden off for winter rather than pushing new tender growth when cold weather is near. 
 

Protect Against Disease: Heavy morning dew stays on leaves for hours in the Midwest, giving fungal spores the moisture they need to germinate. Frequent late-summer and early-fall rain showers add to the risk, splashing existing spores from the ground up onto the foliage. Together, these conditions make black spot and powdery mildew common this time of year.  
 
Keep in mind that you cannot cure leaves that are already infected, but you can stop the fungus from spreading to new growth. Stay ahead of problems by applying a quality fungicide to keep healthy foliage protected. Explore our recommended options for reliable protection.
 

Keep an Eye on Pests: Check your roses regularly for common pests like spider mites. At the first sign of trouble, treat with a gentle insecticidal soap or an insecticide spray, repeating as directed to bring an infestation under control.   

Water: Roses like consistent moisture without soggy roots. Water deeply about once per week, letting the soil dry slightly between waterings. Deep watering encourages deep, strong roots, and watering at the base keeps the foliage dry to help prevent disease. Want to see exactly how it's done? Watch our quick video on how to properly water roses. 

Stop Deadheading Now: During the growing season, removing spent blooms tells your roses to keep producing flowers. When you stop deadheading, she'll set hips instead. Those hips are her signal to wind down and prepare for winter dormancy.