Don’t fertilize flowers, trees, shrubs after Sept. 1

Q: I planted several rose bushes earlier this year and they’ve done pretty good! In fact, they are blooming right now! Should I fertilize them as soon as this bunch of flowers is finished?–N.R.G., West Side
A: Congrats on what sounds like a very successful planting.As far as fertilizing a rose now, I’m going to say no. I would like you to write in your gardening journal that you never fertilize roses after the first of September. In fact, it’d be best if you wouldn’