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Winterizing Roses This is a challenging time of year for the rose grower. Just as some of our roses are looking better than they have all year, it’s time to help them get ready for winter rest. It’s a lot like putting a child to bed before dark--it’s the right thing to do, but it doesn’t feel right. Here’s a short list of do’s and don’ts for Fall and Winter care of roses in the Grand Valley: DON’T: Prune in the Fall or Winter. Our winters are unstable, with freeze/thaw cycles that can kill weak or damaged plants. This year’s long canes are going to be pruned back in the Spring--in the meantime, they’ll do the freezing and thawing for the greater good of the whole shrub. DO: Deep watering once a week until it freezes, then soak once a month, on mild days, through the winter. Increase watering again in March. Water just the roots, not the canes or foliage. DON’T: Fertilize, or feed, again until Spring. You don’t want to do anything that encourages new growth to start, as it will only be killed by freezing. DO: Mulch, but DON’T do it before December 15, or until the ground has frozen. Mulching during the winter is not for warmth--it’s to hold in cold and moisture, so that the roses can stay dormant. Before you mulch, take time to clean debris from under your shrubs, and away from the bud union--discard, rather than composting, this debris. Pick up rose debris throughout the winter to minimize mildew, thrips, and aphids in the Spring. 11/03
Back to Rose Care This page last modified: December 22, 2003 |
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