FUNdamentals of rose care: air, soil, roots, and shoots

Frank Brines

ARS Master Rosarian

Wow, talk about a “change in the weather!” This winter has seen an additional 10” of rain in Temecula compared with last winter (December thru March). While that bodes well for water available to drive growth, we've also seen lower average high temperatures.

While last winter's highs tracked the historic average (with some days getting as warm as 84o), each month's highs this season have averaged 8o to 10o below normal. (“Normal” is usually the average for the previous 20-30 years, depending on the source.)

That means that the air and soil haven't warmed up as...