
Winter Care for Roses
I live in the north where winter temperatures can drop below zero degrees. Should cover my roses for the winter?
Grafted roses, including most hybrid teas, usually benefit from winter protection in northern regions. The key to success is waiting until the ground freezes to cover the plants for winter and removing the protection as the temperatures hover around freezing in the spring. I recently heard about a new twist on the traditional soil mound method. Create a 10 to 12 inch tall collar (cylinder) from corrugated cardboard. Some gardeners use newspapers with the ends stapled together or several brown paper bags with the bottoms removed. Place the collar around the plants and fill with compost. Use wire wickets to secure the collar in place as needed. Once frozen the compost and newspaper stay in place. When the compost thaws in spring spread it and the partially decomposed paper over the surrounding soil. Remove winter damaged canes and prune as needed in the spring. Just think, you protected your grafted roses and improved the soil in one step. For details on other wintering techniques, check out one of my book Month-by-Month Gardening books.
Related
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
Feb. 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Organic Insect Pest Management for Vegetable and Flower Gardens
Register here
Feb. 14-16, 2025
NARI Milwaukee Spring Home Improvement Show
West Allis, WI
Feb. 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Strategies for Managing Invasive Plants
Register here
Feb. 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Create a Beautiful Shade Garden
Register here
Feb. 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
How to Select Rain Garden Plants
Register here
March 12, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Grow Pollinator-friendly Spring and Summer Flowering Bulbs
Register here
March 19, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Register here
March 22, 23, 29, 30, 2025
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
March 26, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Succession Planting & Crop Rotation
Register here
March 27, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Rain Garden Q & A
Register here
April 2, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Container Gardens for Sun & Shade
Register here
April 10, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Reinvigorate Your Rain Garden
Register here
May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here
May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More