This section is essentially overtaken by events. Because there is only a skeleton crew maintaining the herb gardens, the decision was made to give up on the roses, as they are the most labor-intensive of the plants in the gardens.
Along Fence
- Remove covers – burlap and straw as weather becomes more moderate.
- Leave mound of soil until new growth is 1″-2” long and all danger of frost is past.
- Gradually acclimate the plant by washing away an inch or two of the mound a day.
Pruning Shrub Roses
Never cut a rose plant when the wood is frozen.
- Use sharp clean pruners.
- Cut on a slant 1/4 inch from outside bud.
- Paint the cut with glue or nail polish.
- Cut out old wood, weak shouts – never use your best pruning shears to cut out dead wood as it will ruin the cutting edge.
- Reduce the remaining wood by 2/3. Cut back the branch to an outside eye – a dormant bud growing outwards.
- Leave a good framwork of strong wood. Remove canes growing toward center. Remove suckers.
- Fertilize after pruning and foliage starts to appear.
- Mulch 2-4” around plants – leaving a circle of bare soil.
