Now that you have invested your well earned time and money into planting rose bushes, it's time to protect your investment. Harsh cold winters can take a toll on roses. Even a hardy. well established, bush can suffer with an unusually cold winter. The most important part of the plant to protect is the root.
The first part of winterizing is preparing the plant. Usually rose bushes are pruned in the spring; however, newly planted (this year) bare-root bushes should be trimmed down to about 4 inches above the ground. Then the mulch should be placed around that plants.
Winterizing rose bushes is relatively simple. Although there are commercial products available the simplest and easiest winterizing material is hay. Any hay will do but mulching hay is the cheapest. Mulch hay can be picked up from a local farmer or hay dealer..
In late fall after the first freeze but before the first snow, place 4-6 inches of hay around the base of you rose bushes. Do the same about 18-24 inches from the base of the plant. The larger the plant the further away from the base the mulch should stretch.
In early spring after the snow is gone remove the mulch. Be careful not to damage the rose bush at this time.
It's really that simple.
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