How to Protect Your Roses Without Using Chemicals

Protecting Your Roses

• 1

  Inspect rose gardens regularly.

• 2

  Make finding the troublemakers a priority. Learn to identify the most common infestations (aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, fungus and mildew).

• 3

  Cut away all infected areas.

• 4

  Create an anti-fungal/anti-mildew spray by adding 1 tbsp. baking soda and 2 1/2 tbsp. vegetable oil to 1 gallon water.

• 5

  Cover the remaining plant surfaces with the solution, using either a spray bottle or a garden hose attachment.

• 6

  Repeat every two weeks or as symptoms appear.

Getting Rid of Offending Insects

• 7

  Mix 1 c. vegetable oil with 1 tbsp. liquid dishwashing soap. Add 1 1/2 tsp. of this mixture per 1 c. warm water. Pour the solution into a handheld spray bottle.

• 8

  Hit each infestation directly.

• 9

  Spray the plant thoroughly.

• 10

  Repeat weekly or as needed.

• 11

  Introduce ladybugs to your garden. They will happily munch aphids and other soft-bodied insects until they fly away home.