This is a month by month reminder of the most important tasks. It is based on conditions in the south east of England so dates will vary for other parts, and may also vary within the Southeast if one lies in a frost pocket for instance. This guide is an adaptation of The Rose Exhibitor's Calendar by Don Charlton from his book Growing and Showing Roses.

1. Continue planting new rose bushes and rootstocks when the soil is not too wet or frosted. Water in new bushes and rootstocks if the soil is at all dry.

2. For those who have budded their own rootstocks now is the time to start heading back last year's budded stocks.

3. Sharpen and clean old tools and buy in new as necessary.

4. Renew your membership for Bexleyheath and District Rose Society, the RNRS, and RHS etc.

5. Discard out of date supplies and renew supplies of fungicides, insecticides and fertilisers.

1. The main pruning commences this month, postpone if the rose stems are frosted. Assuming that your new plantings and budded stocks have been dealt with then start by pruning Cluster flowered varieties first, then Hybrid Teas, and then Miniature Roses. Do not compost pruning waste preferably burn or dump this as it may contain diseased plant material.

2. Weed and generally tidy the rose beds. Firm the ground around each rose bush.

3. Apply a winter wash solution to the pruned bushes and surrounding ground, such as Jeyes fluid. Use strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

4. If you suddenly get the urge for some more roses to plant out then now is one of the best times to search for some pot roses ideally from a rose nursery. Potted roes can be planted out at anytime of the year but the earlier the better, so plant them out this month when the ground is not water logged or frosted.

1. Complete any pruning, tidying and, ground firming.

2. Apply the first application of rose fertiliser, hoe in and if the ground is dry water in.

3. Apply a good thickness of mulch to the rose beds.

4. Buy and plant potted roses preferably for the last time this season.

1. Keep beds tidy, thin out excess shoots from the base and stems of rose bushes.

2. Look for any signs of die back and cut back stems to good wood.

3. Keep a look out for the first sign of insect build up and spray only if necessary.

1. Look for excess shoots, die back and blind shoots nip out or cut back as necessary.

2. The first buds should be appearing this month and if you wish to improve the quality rather than have quantity then now is the time to consider disbudding. Nip out the centre buds of cluster flowered roses and the side buds of HT roses.

3. Apply the second application of rose fertiliser and water in if the weather is dry.

4. Look out for insects it is likely that your first application of insecticide needs to be applied this month. Follow the manufacturer's instructions fully.

5. Mildew and blackspot are just around the corner and it makes life easier by applying a fungicide now as a preventative measure rather than trying to find a cure later.

6. The first decent blooms of the season should come around the last half of this month. If you want to cut some for the house then cut the stems when the blooms are only about 1/4 open and leave the stems in deep cold water, in the shade, for at least 3 hours before arranging them in their vase or bowl indoors.

1. Continue with weeding, disbudding, watch for insect and disease attacks and take appropriate action.

2. If the weather is dry water the ground thoroughly. A light liquid feed can be included with the watering if you wish, you will notice the difference.

3. If you are growing rootstocks then budding of these can commence this month. Check that the sap is flowing in the stocks first if not then water well and check a day or two later before budding.

4. Cut rose stems for the house (1/4 open) and rose shows (1/2 to 3/4 open), and don't forget to condition the stems by allowing them a long drink in a deep bucket of cold water for 3 hours or more. When cutting stems remember to avoid leaving snags on the bush by using a conventional pruning cut just above a leaf node.

1. Keep the rose beds tidy by weeding, disbudding. Watch out for insect and fungal diseases.

2. Deadheading will be one of the main activities this month. Cut the spent blooms off down to an appropriate leaf node. Cut the stem at about the second set of leaves down from the bloom, this will do for quick repeat flowering, or cut a bit lower down the stem if later better quality blooms are required.

3. The third and last feed of the season ought to be applied this month this should be well watered in if the weather is dry.

4. Continue to bud rootstocks, but ensure that the sap is flowing well beforehand. Bud wood of different and interesting varieties can usually be obtained from rose shows, but always ask for the exhibitor's permission before taking any stems at the end of a show.

1. This month can be hot and dry and may appear quiet as we wait for the second flush of blooms to materialise. But do not neglect the general care of the roses keeping the beds tidy disease and insect free and well watered.

2. Disbud stems for the second oncoming flush of flowers as suggested for the first flush.

3. Now is a good time to start planning for next year, think about new rose beds and or improving existing beds. Start to place your orders for roses now to be assured of getting the varieties that you want.

4. Budding rootstocks can be difficult this month unless you can keep the understocks growing well. If the stocks appear a little dormant now the budding could be left until early next month.

1. Continue with the general housekeeping of the rose beds and if necessary spray for insects and disease early in the month. Usually it is advisable to spray 10-14 days before the flush of flowers is expected, this avoids the need to spray and spoil blooms when they are opening. Unless the growing season is prolonged for some reason this is probably going to be the last spray treatment needed for this year, so do this one well.

2. Complete any out standing budding this month.

3. Complete orders for new rose bushes as early as possible.

4. Start the preparation of new rose beds when the weather is kind and other jobs allow.

1. The last of the decent roses this month so make the most of them while you can. And keep up the good housekeeping.

2. While or after deadheading it is advisable to lightly prune rose bushes to prevent wind rock during autumn and winter storms. After pruning lightly firm the ground around each rose bush.

3. Finish the preparation of new rose beds in readiness for the arrival of your rose orders.

November

1. Continue tidying, light pruning and firming ground around roses.

2. Your new rose bushes should arrive this month. If the ground is not waterlogged or frosted and you have the time your new bushes can be planted directly into the prepared beds. The plants should be well watered in. If weather or time does not allow you to plant the bushes immediately then they can be temporarily "heeled-in".

3. Any roses in pots should have their roots protected from frost for the winter period. Some miniature roses in the garden are sensitive to frosts, particularly if they have a shallow root system. Covering miniature roses, likely to be affected by frost, with straw or cloches or similar insulation until the end of February will pay dividends.

1. In between the Christmas shopping and festivities complete the planting of new rose bushes during good weather.

2. Put all those garden tools you've always wanted on your Christmas wish list, and if you don't get them for Christmas consider buying them yourself in the January Sales.