As a long-time Phoenix resident, I’m no different from my neighbors – we all tend to escape the scorching summer heat by leaving town. While I don’t flee every weekend like some, my family and I eagerly seize any opportunity to drive north or fly somewhere cooler. However, my passion for rose gardening has added a layer of complexity to my travels. For short weekend trips, I can usually work around my floral obligations, but longer excursions require meticulous planning. Before departing, I must carefully set and test all the timers to ensure my roses receive proper care in my absence.
While an electronic timer and buried manifold could automate my watering, I actually prefer the hands-on experience. I enjoy manually controlling the spigots and watering the roses as I tend to the garden, deadheading blooms, tidying the area, or taking dazzling photos to share with you. However, when we travel for a week or more during the summer, I do rely on a series of battery-powered timers to keep the roses hydrated in my absence.
The battery-operated timers I purchase from big box stores reliably meet my needs. With just a few simple adjustments – setting the time, start time, duration, and frequency – I can automate my watering schedule. To avoid frustration from a dead timer causing plant loss, I make sure to replace the batteries at the start of each growing season.
As we prepare to leave town for a couple of weeks, I’ve finally set up my timers. With Arizona experiencing a record-breaking summer, I wanted to share some essential rose garden watering tips to help you care for your plants in our absence.
Hydrate Your Roses Early in the Morning
Proper watering is crucial for plant health, especially for roses which require ample moisture and cannot tolerate dry soil conditions. During the dry, low-humidity summer months, lack of water can invite spider mites that may completely defoliate a plant if left unaddressed. To prevent this, schedule hand-watering, or set drip irrigation timers, for early morning – or after 6 PM when the sun is not directly overhead. Direct the water flow near the ground to allow it to soak thoroughly into the soil.
Wash Dirt and Pest from the Leaves
For optimal plant health, spray your rose bush with water once or twice a week. Use a forceful spray, like a FOGG-IT “Waterfog” nozzle, to thoroughly cover both the top and underside of the leaves. The powerful stream will dislodge dust, dirt, spider mites, and other pests, interrupting their life cycle. There’s a certain satisfaction in watching these summer scourges get knocked off your plants.
Know Your Climate and Soil
Monitor weather conditions closely and adjust your watering schedule accordingly to keep plants consistently moist. Dry conditions can invite pests and diseases, which can be prevented through diligent water management. For optimal root growth, I recommend deep, slow watering. Most in-ground rose plants only need watering every other day, but container roses may require daily watering, and small container roses may need to be watered twice a day. Additionally, sandy, hot, dry, or windy environments will likely necessitate even more frequent watering.
Use Your Fingers to Check Plant Health
Use your finger to check soil moisture. Dry, crumbly soil indicates your plant needs more water, while muddy, saturated soil signals you’ve been over-watering. Additionally, monitor the leaves – soft, yellowing leaves suggest too much water, while dry, crispy, yellowing leaves mean your plant is thirsty and under-watered.
Make Sure You Have Adequate Mulch
Mulch acts as a protective barrier, shielding the soil from the sun’s heat and preserving moisture. This helps conserve water and maintain a lush, thriving garden. Over time, the mulch you applied in the spring may have started to decompose. To ensure continued protection, top it off with a couple inches of fresh mulch. Mulch doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate – a simple option like Kelloggs Gromulch, available at most large retail stores, works well in the garden.
