What can I do about blackspot?
Blackspot is probably the most off-putting aspect of rose growing, however there are a few simple steps that will prevent it. 1. Choose blackspot resistant varieties, there are lots of them and we are happy to recommend them – but please note they are resistant not immune. If your neighbour has blackspot-infected roses, so will you, only at a later date! 2. Keep your roses well fed with a proper rose fertilizer at least twice a season, but if you’re on poor sandy or chalky soil feed monthly, from March to August. 3. Try to avoid watering in the evening, water in the morning, trying to keep the leaves dry or, better, invest in a watering system that uses a seep hose. Evening watering encourages the growth of fungal infections as the leaves will remain damp overnight. 4. Prune to heights as mentioned in How to Grow. 5. If you use a fungicide, make sure that you use different ones as blackspot builds up resistance to such products in a similar way to bugs and antibiotics. Suitable fungici
