The Huntington Rose Garden Care and Planting Calendar

 

Below is the care schedule we follow for The Huntington Rose Garden in San Marino, California. If you are outside of this area, please consult your local rose society, garden club, or retail nursery for local information.

We recommend that you apply one to two inches of water per week during the growing period.

For fertilizing, we use a timed-release fertilizer. If you are using a standard rose fertilizer, follow the recommendations on the bag.

Planting Pruning Watering Feeding & Mulching
January

Plant bare root roses

Transplant roses

 Begin pruning all but Chinas, Teas, and Old Garden Roses Only as needed None
February

Continue planting bare root roses

Transplant roses

Finish pruning by mid-month Only as needed None
March Remove any die-back Only as needed First feeding mid-month with timed-release fertilizer
April Plant container-grown roses Begin deadheading spent blooms Depending on rainfall, once per week for 20 minutes Mulch the beds with compost (not steer manure)
May

Continue planting container-grown roses

 Deadhead spent blooms Once per week for 20 minutes, as needed Continue mulching, as needed
June Continue planting container-grown roses Deadhead spent blooms Once or twice per week for 20-30 minutes, as needed
July Continue planting container-grown roses

Deadhead spent blooms

Prune once-blooming Old Garden Roses (Gallicas, Damasks, Albas, Centifolias, Moss)

Twice per week for 30 minutes, as needed Feed with timed-released fertilizer after July 4th
August Continue planting container-grown roses

Deadhead spent blooms

Prune China and Tea roses

Twice per week for 30-45 minutes, as needed
September Continue planting container-grown roses Deadhead spent blooms Twice per week for 30-45 minutes, as needed Discontinue fertilizing by September 15th
October Continue planting container-grown roses Deadhead spent blooms Once or twice per week for 20-30 minutes, as needed
November Continue planting container-grown roses Deadhead lightly as needed Once or twice per week for 20-30 minutes, as needed
December Transplant roses Begin pruning Climbing roses Only as needed