Winter is here, and your roses need a little extra care to stay safe through the cold months. Just like people put on jackets and scarves, roses need protection when the temperature drops. Taking the time to winterize your rose garden helps your plants come back strong in the spring.
The first step is to stop pruning and feeding your roses in fall. This lets the plants slow down and rest. If you live in a place where the ground freezes, you’ll want to mound soil, compost, or mulch around the base of each plant. This keeps the roots warm and protected.
Some gardeners also use rose cones or wrap their plants in burlap to shield them from wind and ice. Just make sure there’s airflow so your rose doesn’t get too wet underneath. If you’re covering with plastic, be careful—plastic can trap moisture and cause mold.
Climbing roses may need special help. You can tie the canes loosely to their support so they don’t snap in the wind. In colder areas, some people gently lay the canes down and cover them with mulch or straw.
It’s also smart to clean up any fallen leaves or petals from the ground. These can carry diseases that survive the winter and come back in spring. A tidy garden is a healthy garden!
Protecting your roses in winter might seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it. When the snow melts and the sun warms the ground again, you’ll be glad your roses are ready to grow.
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