Late October and it feels very backendish. I am always pleased at the late rose buds that keep flowering in  ones and twos at this time of year. In a mild Autumn they can go on until Christmas even in Yorkshire.

Autumn Rose Tips

• If you have been troubled with ‘black spot’ this year, collect all infected leaves and destroy then spray the rose again now with a fungicide.
• Mulch your rose with the rotted compost you have been cultivating since spring.
• Some people recommend pruning now to stop wind rocking roots loose but I wait until spring.
• I have just taken cuttings of some roses.  8 inch lengths of stem of semi ripe wood have been put in a corner of the garden with some sand at the bottom of the hole. I will leave them a year or so and see what happens. A friend seems to have great success but she doesn’t know how she manages it.
• Have a last look at nurseries and garden centers for the colour or variety of rose you want then order bear-rooted stock.
• Good housekeeping makes for good roses.