President’s Pruning - August 2026
Welcome to August, everyone! I hope each of you has been enjoying a wonderful, restful summer season. As we navigate the tail end of the dog days, our gardens have certainly received a welcome boost. We have been getting a generous amount of rain over the past few weeks, and if you take a walk through your garden, your bushes are likely to show their appreciation.
There is truly no substitute for natural rainfall when it comes to pushing healthy root development and keeping the soil moisture balanced. While the frequent showers have done wonders for keeping our plants hydrated, they also bring a familiar mid-summer responsibility for every rosarian: fungal management.
GARDEN HEALTH: FUNGICIDE AND PEST UPDATE
With all this moisture in the air, keeping up with your spray routine is critical. High humidity combined with wet foliage creates the absolute perfect storm for black spots and mildews to take hold. I hope everyone is diligent and keeps their bushes protected with a consistent fungicide program. Prevention is infinitely easier than trying to clear up a widespread breakout late in the season!
On a brighter note, I haven't noticed insects being a significant problem over the last few weeks. The steady rain seems to have knocked down the pest pressure, giving our foliage a much-needed break. Keep scouting your leaves, maintain your spray schedules, and your roses will be in prime position to build energy for a spectacular autumn flush.
THE MAIN EVENT: OUR AUGUST PICNIC AT BROOKSTOWN INN
We are just a couple of weeks away from our annual Winston-Salem Rose Society Summer Picnic, and I could not be more excited about what we have planned.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 23rd, as we gather at the historic Brookstown Inn. One of the best parts about our venue choice this year is that we will be entirely indoors, so you can leave your heat worries and weather forecasts at the door.
This is a Potluck gathering with no cost to attend – just bring a dish to share, and the Rose Society is fully subsidizing all drinks, paper goods, utensils, and supplies. We are running this as a traditional potluck, so please let us know what dish you plan to bring (main dish, side, salad, or dessert) so we can ensure a great spread. Please reply directly to me by email or contact Melissa at mgc5304@gmail.comto confirm your attendance and potluck contribution!
THE REVERSE RAFFLE: FUN, LAUGHS, AND PRIZES
To make this year’s social extra special, we are featuring a Reverse Raffle as our highlight activity! If you haven't participated in one before, get ready for a lot of laughs and sustained excitement throughout the afternoon.
Unlike a standard raffle, in a Reverse Raffle, the last ticket left in the bucket wins the high-ticket grand prize! Every attendee gets an entry, and as we draw numbers during our meal, being called means you're eliminated from the grand prize—though we will be handing out fun consolation prizes every so often, to keep the energy high. It promises to be a fantastic afternoon filled with great fellowship, delicious food, and friendly competition. I sincerely hope everyone can attend and join in the fun.
Please remember to reply to me or Melissa with your potluck details by Friday, August 14th, so we can finalize our counts with the venue. Thank you all for your ongoing passion and commitment to our society. Enjoy your gardens, stay on top of your fungicide sprays, and I will see you all on August 23rd!
Todd Day
President, Winston-Salem Rose Society