How To Protect Your Roses From Wind Rock During Winter For A Stronger Plant In Spring

Timing is crucial when preparing your rose plants for the harsh winds and cold winter. You don't want to start too early, but if you start too late, you run the risk of your plants being damaged by winter weather. Even after mulching, clearing fallen leaves, and creating shelter from harsh weather, you're not done yet. In November, it's not quite time yet to prune your roses completely. A full prune should be done in late winter or early spring. However, you should still consider pruning your rose bushes in the fall to avoid wind rock. It's especially important to do this if you live in a very windy location or if your rose plants are very tall. Some rose varieties can reach 6 to 12 feet tall, putting them at the highest risk.

Wind rock occurs when strong winds hit and "rock" plants back and forth. This frequent and forceful rocking motion damages a plant's roots. In some cases, wind rock can uproot plants. Proper overwintering helps your rose garden thrive in the spring, leading to healthier, more abundant blooms.

Cutting back your rose bushes to protect them from wind rock is simple, and November is the perfect time to do it. A good rule of thumb is to cut about one-third of healthy stems' length and up to two-thirds of weaker stems' length. This leaves the plants short enough to be safe from wind rock while leaving enough branch length for them to remain healthy.

Just be careful as you work; it's easy to make simple mistakes when pruning your rose plants. It's always a good idea to disinfect your tools with rubbing alcohol before pruning. Disinfecting helps prevent the spread of diseases between plants. You should also cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. Cutting at an angle rather than straight across helps your rose bushes seal and heal the cut more quickly by directing water away from the cut. Keep these steps in mind, and you can look forward to stronger, more resilient roses in spring.