How to properly prepare roses for winter in central Russia

Many modern rose varieties are characterized by long flowering periods and resistance to various climatic conditions. However, flowers often die due to exposure to freezing temperatures, as they are unprepared for winter. To prevent this, it is necessary to clarify in advance how to prepare Roses for winter and how to cover them.

Preparatory stage

If the florist did not have time to carry out preparations roses for winter in the middle zone, their shoots and foliage will begin to turn green. Flowers may also begin to bloom. This can be avoided by ensuring the plants are properly overwintered in advance and properly preparing the crop for the coming cold weather.

As soon as temperatures drop below freezing, the flow of sap in the flower tissues stops, and the plants begin hibernation. However, in temperate latitudes, including the Moscow region, thaws are common, forcing the bushes to restart the growing season.

As a result, dissolved nutrients circulate within the green parts of the plant, posing a risk of freezing when frost returns. When these substances freeze, they begin to rupture the plant tissue, causing its death. This process makes the rose vulnerable to all kinds of bacteria, viruses, and diseases.

Fertilizer options

Potassium and phosphorus preparations are used as fertilizers, which are aimed at strengthening the root system. Among the existing feeding options, the following stand out:

1. At the end of summer, superphosphate and monopotassium phosphate should be added to the soil at a rate of 15 grams per 10 liters of water. If the onset of autumn is accompanied by heavy rainfall, granulated fertilizer should be applied directly under the bushes. The feeding procedure should be repeated after about a month.
2. Also, one tablespoon of saltpeter diluted in ten liters of water is added under the rose bush.
3. A solution made from banana peels is an excellent fertilizer for roses. They can be applied directly to the bush, after being thoroughly crushed with a sharp tool.
4. Wood ash is an excellent fertilizer. It should be sprinkled dry around the trunk if it's raining outside. If there's no precipitation, it's better to create an ash solution made from 1 cup of fertilizer and 5 liters of water.

With the arrival of autumn, soil loosening is suspended. This measure is necessary to prevent the possible growth of new shoots from replacement buds, as well as new fine roots. Around the third ten days of September, the shoots' growth points are pinched and small buds are trimmed. This allows the faded parts of the shoots to fully mature.

Trimming work

Autumn pruning is an important agricultural practice. It helps provide effective protection for roses during the cold season, maintain the bush, shape its decorative appearance, and lay the foundation for future growth of new shoots, which will naturally stimulate abundant flowering.

It's best to begin pruning shortly before covering your roses for the winter. Typically, this procedure is done in late October or early November. It is important to take into account possible climatic subtleties, which may change the pruning date. To avoid mistaking the timing, it's best to begin pruning after stable weather has set in, with temperatures no lower than -5°C.

In the autumn, the first thing to do is remove affected leaves and shoots that have been mechanically deformed or infected with dangerous diseases.

Gardeners disagree on the issue of removing leaves from a rose bush. Some believe it's best not to remove the leaves, as it's time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially if there are dozens of bushes in the garden. Others, however, take the opposite view and trim the leaves to protect the rose from winter frost and the development of rot. When trimming leaves, use sharp pruning shears to prevent damage to the buds.

Rules of procedure

Every caring gardener should know how to prepare roses for winter in the Moscow region by pruning. This procedure is performed on both young, recently planted bushes and on plants that have been growing for many years. Gardening tools used include pruning shears and a handsaw. The tools are pre-treated with an antiseptic. Pruning is performed in fine, clear weather. As for the type of pruning work, it is determined by the bush variety:

• short pruning - no more than 2-3 buds should remain on one shoot;
• medium - 5-7 buds are left on the shoot;
• long - you need to leave 8-10 buds.

The pruned areas are treated with copper or iron sulfate, Bordeaux mixture, or potassium permanganate. If the autumn weather is warm and pleasant, the rose may begin to grow even after the foliage has been removed. To prevent the bush from dying in a confined space, it's best not to cover it too early.

Choosing the wrong time to cover a bush rose can result in it failing to survive the winter and dying. When choosing a date, consider the weather conditions in the area where the bush will be overwintering. It's best if there were days with stable temperatures of up to -3°C (33°F) before placing the bush under cover. This will completely halt any growth processes in the shoots, and the bush will enter a dormant stage. At temperatures between -7°C and -10°C (14°F and 15°F), the rose needs to be protected. cover as quickly as possible.

If the rose was grafted onto rosehip roots, it can withstand even more severe frosts. However, other park species will be destroyed by frost even at -5°C. To avoid this, it's important to learn the intricacies of preparing roses for winter in Ukraine, the Urals, the Moscow region, or elsewhere.

When covering flowers in the Moscow region, you can use the following insulating materials:

• foliage;
• cardboard;
• burlap;
• agrofibre;
• polyethylene.

Planting in autumn

Shrub roses are easy to plant when it comes to timing. They can be planted in the ground in either spring or fall. The latter option even has significant advantages, making it more popular among gardeners.

Residents of temperate latitudes receive significantly more seed in the fall than in the spring. Young seedlings have time to gain vigor and strength before the cold weather sets in, and with the arrival of winter, they begin to develop foliage. As a result, their flowering is just as good as that of mature rose bushes.

Experienced gardeners in the Moscow region recommend planting seedlings at temperatures between 13 and 15°C. In temperate latitudes, this temperature ranges from mid-September to mid-October. Before severe cold weather sets in, the planting material will have time to take root and gain vigor for a long winter.

When planting roses in the fall, it's important to prepare a good site with ample drainage and adequate light. Pay attention to air circulation and protect the plant from drafts.

Helpful tips

Roses thrive in highly fertile, well-drained soils. If the soil contains sandstone, it's best to combine it with clay, placing a five-centimeter layer of clay at the bottom of the planting hole. When growing in clay soil, add gravel and river sand to dilute the soil. Place broken brick or gravel at the bottom of the planting hole. the materials will act as drainage.

The optimal distance between bushes is 0.7 m and about 1.5 m between rows. The hole should be 0.5–0.7 m deep and 0.4 x 0.4 m in area.

Fertilizers such as peat, humus, and compost are added generously and thoroughly mixed with the soil before being placed in the hole. It's best to begin preparing the substrate 2-3 weeks before planting to allow the soil to settle properly and remove air pockets.

Before planting, loosen the soil further and create a small mound. Place the entire root system on this mound, spreading out the roots. This step is essential for seedlings purchased from a store with exposed rhizomes. When planting them in the ground, shorten the roots to accommodate the diameter of the planting hole.

If the planting material was purchased in a pot, it should be removed from the soil along with the root ball and placed in the hole so that after filling with soil, the root collar is at least 5 cm deep. The soil around the plant should be thoroughly compacted and watered.

To ensure the young bush survives the winter, it should be pruned in early October, removing the inflorescences, buds, and all leaves. The rose should be completely covered with soil, compost, or peat. These materials will act as thermal insulators. Then, an effective shelter should be constructed using metal arches or wooden planks, topped with a protective layer.

Important nuances

Preparing a rose bush for winter at home in your garden is an essential part of growing roses. Although roses are considered easy-to-grow and sheltering them for the winter doesn't require much effort, the process can involve some nuances.

To avoid the unexpected death or wilting of a lush bush, it is important to carefully assess all the intricacies of its preparation for winter and pay attention to the basic stages of such an event.

It's important to understand that each rose variety has its own characteristics and growing requirements. While some species can withstand severe frosts, others are killed by the slightest draft or freezing temperatures.

Properly preparing roses for winter in the Moscow region is the key to successful and lush blooms next year. To enjoy beautiful flowers next growing season, it's important to complete all preparatory procedures in a specific order.