Winterizing Roses (When To Act)

Early fall is a perfect time to check each rose bush to determine whether it was planted at the correct depth.  Roses planted too high are, for the most part, unlikely to survive even a mild winter.
The graft union must be planted 4-5" below soil grade in order to protect it from temperature extremes.  If you find a rose bush which is planted up too high, gently dig it up and replant at the correct depth.

Winterize when the ground freezes.  

This could be mid-December.  Let Mother Nature be your guide.

Any sooner, and you may be encouraging critters to set up a warm, winter home with your roses.

The time to act is when:

• the ground is frozen
• no new growth appears on your roses
• the plant has lost most or all of its leaves
• night temperatures are at or below freezing routinely

You can protect your roses with several tools.  Have your choice of supplies ready to go:

• Mounding:  soil (remember to keep it thawed until you're ready to use it), compost, shredded leaves (oak leaves must be shredded, maple leaves compact too much and stay too wet), mulch (shredded hardwood), or straw.
• Collar:  You can use a rose cone with the top cut off. 
• Cage  Use chicken wire and re-rod to construct your cage. 
• Rose Cones  

Next:  Instruction on how best to use the above to protect your rose bushes.

Winterizing Roses (Pruning)

Early to mid-fall is not a good time to prune roses.  Why?

• Pruning stimulates new growth.
• Pruning early does not necessarily save you the trouble of pruning again in the spring.

Late fall or when roses are completely dormant is a good time to prune.  Why?

• For the tidy gardener, it gets the garden cleaned up now for spring.
• Late season growth can be taken back, so roses aren't "leggy" all winter.
• For most folks, it's when there's the most time to prune.

Early spring is also a good time to prune roses.  Why?

• Spring pruning stimulates new growth.
• You can shape your plant.
• You can prune off any dieback.

As always, you can talk to the friendly staff at K&W Greenery during regular business hours. 

(608) 752-8917

Winterizing Roses (Preparation and End of Season)

Winterizing your roses using the tips and tricks explored here will help give your rose(s) a good chance of surviving a harsh winter.

Why should you winterize your roses to begin with?  It offers protection and insulation:

• Protection from sun and wind damage, from chewing animals, and from pests which may try to make a winter home in or on the plant.
• Insulation against wildly fluctuating and/or extreme temperatures.
• Limits the temperature fluctuation with the freeze and thaw cycles throughout the winter months.

Keep in mind that a healthy rose is a hardier rose.
Apply Bayer All-in-One (available at K&W Greenery) throughout the growing season.  This is a fertilizer, insect control, and disease control "all in one" application, and it should not be used on Rugosa roses.  We recommend applications on April 15, June 1, and July 15.  You'll be best served to not use it any later than September first.
By August 30th, you should stop removing spent blooms (deadheading).  Allowing the hips to form helps the rose to "slow down" in preparation for dormancy.

As the season draws to a close:

• Rake up and destroy fallen rose leaves.  Black Spot and other leaf diseases can over-winter with your roses.
• DO NOT prune except for dead, injured, or diseased canes.  Pruning stimulates new growth that will be too weak to survive winter.
• Use Mother Nature, not the calendar as your cue to begin protection using your method of choice.  Rarely take protective steps before Thanksgiving, usually closer to Christmas.

In following posts, we'll talk about when and how to prune as well as when and how to protect your cherished roses.

For answers anytime, call the helpful K&W Greenery staff at 608-752-8917 during regular business hours.