Gardeners urged to do one job now to stop roses from catching 'potential diseases'

When it comes to gardening, there's a wealth of advice available. From the optimal time to plant specific flowers to pest control strategies, there's always something to be done in the garden.

This time, we're focusing on roses. While they are undoubtedly stunning blooms, they can be tricky to cultivate. Luckily, a gardening expert has stepped in with some advice on how to get your roses thriving.

Claire Baglin, Landscaping Category Manager at Toolstation, has shared her top tips for nurturing roses in your garden.

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Fertilise

She advised: "Doing so now will fill your garden with bright, beautiful roses to enjoy alongside the nice weather. Ideally, roses should be fed before they have flowered, which is typically around March or April, however, you may still be able to catch them now.

"Whether they have bloomed or not, it's important to give them some extra support during spring as this is when they start to grow and make the most of the nutrients provided.

"Start by applying a handful of the fertiliser around each plant, and then gently hoe the soil surrounding the roses, avoiding stems and leaves.

"Water the area and that's it - perfectly fertilised roses in minutes. Apply the treatment again during the summer months, when your roses should now be thriving following the previous treatment in spring."

Claire also imparted her rose care wisdom for fellow green thumbs, reports the Express.

Ensure they have enough water

Roses demand a fair bit of care, requiring at least one or two inches of water. However, this rule only applies from spring to autumn, with the water needing to be refreshed weekly.

During the warmer months, you'll need to change the water more frequently, every three to four days.

Water roses in the morning

In hotter temperatures, roses will require additional hydration, so you'll need to water the plant more during the summer. This routine can help stave off any potential diseases.

Prune when necessary

This task only needs to be carried out in late winter or early spring, so make sure to mark it in your calendars as this is when new growth begins. Remove any dead or dying branches from the plant.

If you notice any weak, thin stems, these will also need to be removed. A healthy stem should be about the thickness of a pencil.

Prune at a 45-degree angle

Make sure to cut them at a 45-degree angle. By cutting roses like it will promote new growth and give more of an open rose.

Mulch to stimulate growth

Mulch roses in spring and autumn with some compost. Just make sure to keep them 10cm away from the rose stems.

Tackle any diseases

If you rose has caught any diseases you will need to treat it immediately. While the plant is prone to diseases make sure to spray a solution onto the leaves of the rose as this will help protect it against from diseases such as blackspot, mildew and leaf spot.