Friday, November 30, 2012

Wrapping Roses...

I love roses.  But there is a problem, we are in a zone 3.  If I want roses to survive, I need to baby them.  In the fall, I cover the bases with compost and after it freezes I wrap them.  I finally wrapped them a few weeks ago.   My husband took a photo tutorial for me. 


First, you need: Straw, stakes, twine, scissors, and small mesh fencing.  I love my stakes.  They are old door handles on metal stakes.  Easy to push in and easy to pull out. 


Earlier this fall I cut the roses way back and surrounded the bases with rich compost.  Now I take the straw and wrap it around the base, making sure the straw is between the fence and the rose.

Then I tie the cages shut, tie them to the stake, and finish filling them with straw. 


It doesn't look like it is going to be a real cold winter, but better safe than sorry. 
I always feel better knowing my roses are tucked in for the winter.
 

17 comments:

  1. Love the photos of you babying your roses ! Hope they do well over the winter. Here we cut them right back and cover the roots for the winters . Our winters have been getting more and more mild not like they were 10 years ago with fidget temps and wind chills ! Have a good day !

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  2. I remember doing that too; now I don't worry about it since I have too many evergreens and roses don't like it. What a good gardener you are, XOXO

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  3. This is a great post...luckily we don't have to do that here with our roses, but they sure are beautiful enough to make it worth it for you, I'm sure!

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  4. Well you are a very caring gardener. Good job. B

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  5. Buttons, I don't think it is caring, as much as cheap. I get sick of buying roses that don't make it through the winter.

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  6. I used to do this when we lived in Alaska--There really is something about having them all tucked in for the winter and knowing your little extra work will be rewarded when the warm weather returns.

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  7. a great way to keep them going. I worked in a rose garden and had to do hundreds,we berned them in with dirt

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  8. Your Roses are all tucked in for the winter, I never have luck with them.......but do love them so......Blessings Francine.

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  9. Winters haven't been so tough the past few years-- think we're destine for a rough one.All our snow is melting...Been foggy and rainy this weekend.

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  10. I just covered my roses in dead leaves/grass mulch. I like your rose wraps....and the pic of you.

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  11. This post just shows how good a gardener you are. I'm sure you will be amply rewarded. Fortunately here in the tropics, we don't have to do such tasks. In any case, I do not have many bushes as they are prone to fungal attacks.

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  12. I've never had to wrap roses but if I ever do I now know how! I'm undecided if I miss that type of weather!!! I actually do miss the snow and enjoy your photos for that reason - love the new header photo!

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  13. It's funny - we do that with our banana plants

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  14. Good job on protecting those rose bushes...looks like they will be snug as a bug in a rug this winter. I was kinda hoping we would have a snowy winter here in PA. We'll see. I miss the snowy winters. Last winter we barely got anything!

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  15. So nice to see a photo of you! I don't baby our two roses. I say live or die. :)

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  16. Hi, I just highlighted you and wrapping the roses on my page for the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop please stop by and check it out and thanks for linking up with us..
    Dolly of Hibiscus House
    http://hibiscushouse1.blogspot.com/2012/12/farmgirl-friday-blog-hop-86.html

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