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Winter Rose Care & Pruning

Although major rose pruning is not done until late February into early March, there are a few things I do to get roses settled in for the winter. First, I wait until the first frost has occurred before I do anything. That happened on December 1 this year, a little later than normal. If you do any pruning prior to that, new growth will be encouraged, and it will just be nipped later. I will then do minimal pruning, about 1/3 of the plant or to about waist-high. It does not matter how you make the cuts. More precise pruning will be done in late winter. Giving roses a slight pruning at this time will decrease the damage from strong winter winds. Roses are not deeply rooted, and any long canes can spell trouble. Pick off any remaining leaves, if possible. I know that can be a big job if there are still many leaves left on the plant but you don't want leaves, especially diseased leaves, left to fall and harbor spores for next season. Clean the area around the base of the rose. Rake out ...
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March coming in like a lamb



Saturday was such a beautiful day and one that made the promise of Spring a reality. The morning started off chilly as we headed out for our usual Saturday morning breakfast and errands (usually either Panerra or Bojangles, Panerra won out this week). By the time we got back home, the sun was out and the temperature was rising.

 It eventually climbed to 70, a nice balmy day with some wind but a warm wind. It felt so good to outside! I cut back the monkey grass and picked a bouquet of daffodils. We have two large clumps of daffodils blooming in the side garden, on the south side of the house. I noticed that the daffodils on the north and west side had not opened yet.

Unfortunately another blast of cold air arrived on Sunday night and plunged us back down in the 20s. This is supposed to be short-lived though and it will eventually get warmer during the week.




 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. organicgardendreamsMarch 4, 2014 at 1:11 PM

    Hi Phillip, your daffodils are so beautiful. Love your bouquet! Are the blue flowers in it sea lavender? Is this flowering in your garden right now, too? That would be very astonishing to me. Wishing you a lovely spring. Hopefully we all can enjoy a wonderful gardening season!
    Christina

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  2. Phillip OliverMarch 4, 2014 at 1:13 PM

    Hi Christina, yes, the daffodils are blooming but they were lying on the ground after the colder weather came in on Sunday night. I should have picked all of them. I'm not sure what the purple flower is - it came from a bouquet of flowers from the grocery store!

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  3. BeckyMarch 4, 2014 at 2:55 PM

    I think the blue flowers are statice. I envy your warm weather and daffodils. Here March came in like a polar bear. The snow pack will have to go before I see mine!

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowMarch 4, 2014 at 3:02 PM

    You lucky dog. I love seeing these beautiful spring flowers. We still have melting ice and snow. Hopefully by tomorrow it will all be gone. Not sure since it is to get down to 18 tonight. UGH.. I am so ready for warmth and these lovely spring beauties.

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  5. NicMarch 4, 2014 at 4:59 PM

    Beautiful! Meanwhile here the temperatures remain below freezing, although the witch hazels and snowdrops are desperately trying to flower the moment the sun comes out.

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  6. AaronMarch 4, 2014 at 5:30 PM

    March came in like a frozen lamb popsicle here in Middle TN!

    Hopefully we'll thaw out tomorrow...

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  7. WayneMarch 5, 2014 at 3:47 AM

    I'm happy to see spring is somewhere. We still have over 2 ft of snow. :-(
    But your pics give me hope that we're not too far behind.

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  8. Lynn HuntMarch 5, 2014 at 11:39 AM

    Phillip, your daffs are an inspiration and encouragement that spring might actually arrive one day! We played golf on Sunday and did some gardening but we're back to the deep freeze in the next day or so. I wish this weather would make up its mind!

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  9. Edith KentMarch 5, 2014 at 4:30 PM

    Beautiful photos Phillip. My daffodils are pretty but I didn't get pix this good.

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  10. EveMarch 6, 2014 at 4:19 PM

    Outstanding photos Phillip! That cold blast was rough on the daffodils, mine weren't fully out yet. Hope they come back to life this weekend and the air warms a bit more.

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  11. EveMarch 6, 2014 at 4:23 PM

    PS the purple flowers are Statice flowers. They are very popular in floral arrangements. I've never grown them.

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  12. CarolMarch 7, 2014 at 12:53 PM

    We got a cold icy storm Monday night. Really got to some of my plants. We lost lots of limbs and trees, but thankfully, hubbie found someone to clean it up for us and all was better when I got home Wednesday. My beautiful Magnolia took a hard hit. Really ready to get to spring!

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  13. LesMarch 8, 2014 at 5:44 AM

    We went from 73 last Sunday to snow on Monday. Cold rain all week after that, and finally today the sun is out and it is supposed to get to 60. I would work in the garden today, but the soil is like chocolate pudding.

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  14. SwimrayMarch 8, 2014 at 2:59 PM

    As I enjoy your spring treats, today was our first spring day here in Virginia. . . Finally. Monday was snow, and today was jacket- less. I look forward to the days when my daffodils look like yours.
    -Ray

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