Since our "Winter" is usually in the mid 50 degrees, I just fertilize with time release fertilizer when I do the pruning (around Jan). My roses start their Spring flush in Feb, so they seem to agree.

Of course, once every 20 years or so we will get a real cold spell (meaning any nights at freezing), but I have never had any real damage to any of the roses from that. So, I would say that the direction to stop feeding in the Fall is meant for places that freeze all Winter.

Jackie

Thanks Jackie. That makes sense.

andrea

Right, but with cooler temperatures and less sunlight, roses cannot grow as fast, and so will need somewhat less fertilizer than in warmer seasons. This is true even in Florida zone 9, which gets a lot more winter sunlight than northern California.

Good thinking Michael. I will reduce my fertilizer appropriately.

andrea