Winterizing Roses

Fall care for hybrid tea, Grandiflora and floribunda roses.

Understanding dormancy will help to determine the proper time to prune.
During dormancy, the sap has left the canes and the canes are simply empty tubes of cellulose. Pruning too early in the fall (before the sap runs back down into the roots) cuts some of the nutrients out, so you must be sure the plant is dormant before fall (winter) pruning. The only fall pruning I recommend is if the bush is very tall and the wind will whip it around in the winter, then prune just the very top of the bush. Winter dieback generally occurs from the end of the branches. Pruning removes the available length that can die back before reaching the ground. Pruning a semi dormant plant stimulates growth and sap flow in the pruned region.

Proper cleanup.
To prevent disease/fungus from over wintering, clean the rose bed by removing leaves and other debris. Put the leaves in the trash. Do not add them to your composting materials because the mold spores will continue to grow in a compost pile, making your compost diseased.

Why cover roses in the winter?
Winter protection is essential for our climate. It serves two functions: (1) to keep the temperature of the bush high enough to prevent winter kill and (2) low enough to keep the rose dormant and prevent active growth. Covering also prevents the sun and wind from drying and withering the canes. This is the main cause of winter damage.

Timing is important.
Covering the rose too early is unwise as it may prevent the rose from hardening properly and will slow the onset of dormancy. Covering the rose too late may risk damage from the cold.

Covering the crown on the rose bush
There are several methods of protection to choose from. If the roses are growing in a bed, cover the bed at least a foot deep with tree leaves. Do not use rose leaves. For individual roses, make a mound with soil or mulch (Soil pep is great) to cover the crown at least 12 inches. A very easy method is to use rose collars, found in the garden center at Pinehurst. Fill them with leaves or easy to use soil pep, also found at Pinehurst.

Rose Collars are easy to use.  Fill them with leaves or soil pep.

What about Easy Elegance and shrub roses?

The great Easy Elegance roses from Pinehurst and shrub roses, such as Knock Out roses, are much more hardy and require little fall and winter care, other than to make sure they have plenty of moisture.

October Gardening

Changing the garden from summer to fall presents a wonderful activity during a special time of the year. Fall gardens provide opportunities for enjoying the warm days and cool nights.




Fall is for planting
This is a great time to plant shrubs that will add beautiful fall color to your landscape. Plant new perennials, trees and shrubs. Transplant existing trees and shrubs as needed. Divide perennials and replant them, cutting back blooms and foliage.

Deep soak trees and shrubs

Healthy plants can withstand the rigors of winter. The best way to insure you have healthy plants is to make sure they have ample water in their system going into winter.

Deep soak them weekly until the ground freezes. Give special care to the trees and shrubs you planted this spring and summer. Their roots are not out in the natural soil. Make sure to get the original root ball soaked.

Fertilize your lawn

Fall is absolutely the most important time to fertilize your lawn. Fertilizing with Ferti-lome Winterizer in late fall will build a strong root system that can withstand the hazards of winter. The slow release formulation promotes a thicker lawn with minimal top growth, while your lawn stores valuable nutrients for next spring.

Keep watering your lawn
You can water less often in cool temperatures.

Mulch
Apply mulch to the soil around beds to give plants a layer of protection. This is a great way to keep the soil at an even temperature throughout the winter, reducing the chance of the freezing and thawing of the soil from causing the plants to heave out of the ground. It will also help retain moisture in the soil. The sun beating down on bare soil in the winter will dry the soil quickly, causing plants to dry out. They will thank you, come spring, by displaying healthy and hearty blooms and foliage.

Clean your garden beds from summer "leftovers"
Pull dead annuals from containers and flowerbeds. Deadhead flowers, foliage, vines and vegetables and pull annuals out of your garden bed. If you leave dead plants, you run the risk of inviting insects to nest and lay eggs, which will hatch in the spring.

Recycle Fall Leaves

Though the lawn needs less frequent mowing, it's a good idea to mow over the fallen leaves, gathering them into the mower collection bag. This chops them into smaller pieces so when you add them to the compost pile, they will break down quickly. Plus, it's an easy way to tidy up the lawn.

Add Compost

Bare soil, where annual flowers and vegetables were removed, will benefit from compost. The organic material improves soil structure and helps replace nutrients. Turn the organic amendments into the soil to a depth of 4 inches or more.

On your porch and patio

Protect your outdoor furniture and grill. Slip-on covers will protect them during the winter.

Container Gardening

Empty any clay, concrete, or ceramic planters. Soil left in fragile containers will have moisture in it the will freeze and expand, which may cause the container to crack. Make sure any container left outside over winter will not trap water. If you can't store them in a protected place, turn them upside down or cover them so water can't collect in them.