Roses will grow bigger and longer-lasting flowers if fed 1 simple item in early July

Roses need more than just a being watered in summer, so it is important to take a little time now to prepare them properly to get lots of flowers this July. Not many people realise that roses quickly dehydrate at this time of year due to a process called transpiration. Transpiration causes roses to lose a lot of water through their leaves due to hot weather, which can cause them to droop or even die if there is not enough moisture in their soil.

However, Tat, a seasoned gardener from Roses In Houston, has shared there is a simple way to keep roses healthy without needing to constantly water them by hand. She said: "We all hear this advice to water, water and water during summer. But what if there is no rain and water restrictions in place? Does that mean it's the end of rose-gardening, and we should call it quits?"

A better approach is to mulch roses, which is a really easy gardening practice where you cover the soil around a plant in organic material.

The material will then soak up water which will slowly drip into the soil, which keeps roses cool and moist so you do not have to worry about water loss through evaporation.

Tat explained: "Put on multiple layers of mulch (about two inches) at the base of your roses. Mulch helps retain moisture so that water and moisture won't escape from soil too fast after watering.

"I prefer all-natural, no-dye version of mulch like hardwood and cedar so when they break down, it's better for the soil."

You can use all sorts of natural material to mulch roses, but hardwood is a great choice as it can retain a lot of water which helps keep roses hydrated longer without frequent watering.

The best time to use hardwood mulch is if you cannot water roses for a long period of time, such as during a drought, hose restrictions or if you are travelling on holiday.

On the other hand, cedar wood can hold water but also contains natural pest-repellent properties that are known to deter ants, slugs, and spider mites.

For those who can water their roses consistently over the summer, cedar mulch is a great option as it will keep the worst summer pests away from your roses so they stay flowering.

All you need to do is weed around roses, water the soil, and apply a thin layer of your chosen mulch around the base of a rose bush.

By regularly watering your roses and using mulch to retain moisture and nourish the soil, you will help ensure they bloom bigger and longer throughout the summer.