Prune Your Rose Bushes Soon

With the recent soaring temperatures, Avon homeowners have been wanting to get back to yard work and gardening.

Employees at some Avon garden stores reported that they're getting asked about doing work that normally isn't done for another month or two. One person even asked about starting vegetable plants outside already.

Fran Burik of the Avon Garden Club said that, while it's still too early to think about some gardening chores, there's one that should be done by the end of March.

It's pruning rose bushes.

Early spring is the right time to do it, Burik said. Pruned rose bushes are encouraged to grow more out than up, leading to a fuller bush and more roses.

Bushes should be pruned to about knee height, Burik said.

In addition to trimming for height, prune off dead or damaged wood that has nothing coming out from it. Thin out branches so nothing is crossing over, and keep the middle of the bush free from upward growth.

Avon Garden Club members know something about pruning rose bushes. This past week, members pruned all the rose bushes around the French Creek gazebo at the intersection of Detroit Road, Stoney Ridge Road, and Colorado Avenue. 

The club is also involved in beautification projects around town.

If you're interested in gardening, the next is at 7 p.m. April 17 at .