Join us at our Monthly Meetings and Events
The Nashville Rose Society serves all of Middle Tennessee by sharing knowledge and information about our national flower, the rose. Through a monthly newsletter and meetings that feature regional and nationally recognized speakers, we bring you advice and instruction geared to growing roses in the specific soil and climatic conditions of this area. For all scheduled Meetings & Events, click here.
A Brief Overview of Rose Care in August
In Nashville, August is often one of the hottest months of the year. The Japanese beetles are gone, but the heat and humidity are going to be around a while!
Some tips for keeping your roses healthy and beautiful during this month:
Continue spray program.
There has been enough rain so far this summer for blackspot to run rampant if you do not spray a fungicide. Blackspot spores germinate when humidity is high and temperatures are in the range of 68-80 degrees F. They spread rapidly around 75 and do not spread well over 85 which is why hot, dry weather gives us spider mites instead of so much blackspot! Leaves that are wet for 6 hrs. are highly susceptible if the temperature is right.
Apply last application of granular fertilizer containing nitrogen if used.
Nitrogen is the element that stimulates growth. Many slow-release fertilizers will release over 30 to 90 days. Liquid fertilizers can be used every 1-2 weeks until the end of September. Beginning in October, roses need to be preparing themselves to survive over the winter, not growing.
Prune for fall rose shows (keep rose bushes free of weak growth).
Start getting ready for the Nashville Rose Show on September 28 – 29 at Belmont.
Be sure roses are well watered.
Oh, yes… Did we mention the Nashville heat in August?
Add more mulch if needed.
Mulch will help shade the roots of the rose and help the ground hold moisture.
See the Rose Care Calendar for a month-by-month list of how to take care of your roses.
Upcoming Meeting and Events
For all currently scheduled Meetings & Events visit the Meeting & Events page.
If you have never been to the Wilson County Fair, this is your chance! Thrilling rides, food, concerts, tractor pulls, demolition derbies, pageants, livestock shows, Fiddlers Grove Historic Village and much more. Lots of exhibits such as fine arts, photography, stained glass, quilts, and the list goes on. There are farm and exotic animal exhibits and educational shows, poultry and rabbit shows, antique car show, school exhibits, commercial exhibits, kids night activities, parades, Pick Tennessee exhibit, and entertainment on 8 different stages- AND an opportunity for Nashville Rose Society members to show off their roses in the Wilson County Fair Rose Show.
All horticulture and arrangements entries must be entered Thursday August 15, between 2:30 and 6:45 PM at the Wilson County Fairgrounds at the James E. Ward Agriculture Center, Lebanon, TN. The Fair is being held August 16 – 24, 2019.
Click here for the 2019 Rose Show Schedule.
A grooming room will be set up at 1:00pm for those rosarians experienced in showing roses. Their entries will be due at 2:00. Tables will be set up, manned by the experienced exhibitors, with demonstrations on different aspects of showing roses. Anyone who wants help getting their roses ready to show should come to the meeting at 2:00 for hands-on help with getting their roses ready for the show floor. All entries must be placed by 3:00.
This is a great opportunity to learn, hands-on, about showing roses and will be very good review in preparation for the Nashville Rose Show on Sept 28.