| While winter is the season of hibernation and | | | | and other debris from around your rose bush at this |
| dormancy for your roses, it can spell disaster, if you | | | | time, as these insects and fungi hibernate during |
| let it face the season with out taking any precaution. | | | | winter and return to damage during spring. |
| The tougher varieties like old garden roses and | | | | Prune and trim the taller roses, before you put on |
| own-root types normally survive through the bitter | | | | any winter covering. Do not prune these too |
| cold, but the more delicate varieties like hybrid teas | | | | thoroughly, as you will have to prune again to |
| and budded roses can wither easily, if left | | | | remove dead and disease-infected canes in spring. |
| unprotected. | | | | You can tie the canes together - this will protect |
| Preparation process for your rose bush, begins right | | | | them from the cold and gusty winter winds. |
| at the time of selecting the roses for plantation. | | | | One of the very popular and easy methods to |
| While browsing the net or printed catalogues, or | | | | protect your rose bush during winter months is called |
| even admiring the roses on display at your local | | | | "hilling". This method involves piling a lot of |
| garden store, be careful to choose only those types | | | | moisture-free loose soil or compost around your rose |
| which are tough to glide through the harshness of | | | | bush. This piling should be around 10 to 12 inches in |
| winter, typical of the area in which you live in. consult | | | | depth. This is a very good covering for the plants, |
| the "hardiness zone maps", if necessary before you | | | | provided it is dry. |
| make that final selection. | | | | You should cover the mound with hay, leaves or |
| The key to making your roses make it through the | | | | evergreen branches, once it has frozen completely. |
| harsh winter is to deliberately make them hibernate | | | | With this type of dry covering, with moisture-free |
| or push them into dormancy. You can achieve this by | | | | soil or compost, your rose bushes have the winter |
| stopping any fertilizing activity by mid August, ceasing | | | | protection that they need so badly to survive. |
| all dead heading and pruning activities by the | | | | After your have successfully put your rose garden to |
| beginning of October. You must let hip formation to | | | | rest for the winter, take some time off to sharpen |
| further ensure dormancy. | | | | your garden maintenance tools, so that you can start |
| Be certain to keep your plants in a frozen condition, | | | | afresh in spring. |
| if you live in very cold areas. Prevent the freeze | | | | Winter is the time for short days and long nights. As |
| thaw/freeze cycles to happen repeatedly. To ensure | | | | you sit and warm your heels by the fire side, browse |
| this, never put any early covers on your plants. Bide | | | | through the websites and printed catalogues to order |
| your time till the first hard frost hits and the leaves | | | | for next year's roses. |
| start falling. Remove all fallen leaves, diseased leaves | | | | |