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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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Edging the Pan Garden



A long overdue project is in the bag. I've always thought that the Pan Garden (the small garden right off the deck and the very first area I created in this garden) would look better with a rock edging. For years, we've put up with the heavy plastic edging and while it does keep the grass from creeping into the beds, it doesn't stay in place that well and stone looks so much better. 

Before -



After - 



Michael is to be credited with this - he did virtually all the work. I transported the pavers from the truck to the garden and helped dispose of the soil he removed. Here he is hard at work - 


We have more of the plastic edging around the front pathway and borders that I would eventually like to replace. I really love the rusty steel edging but I'm still not sure where one buys it. I do have some leads that I have not followed up on. Another day!


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. AnonymousMay 5, 2022 at 6:22 AM

    Kudos to Michael for a job well done. Nice to have found a dry enough day to finish this job!

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    1. Phillip OliverMay 5, 2022 at 7:36 AM

      Yes and just in time. Back to more rain today!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 5, 2022 at 6:31 AM

    Nice job by Michael! Looks really good. Funny I'm pondering doing the same sort of edging in my veg/cutting garden. That plastic edging is not satisfactory--the blocks look so much better.

    Commenting Anonymous because of the new browser/blogspot problem with third-party cookie blocking. --Hoov (pieceofeden)

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    1. Phillip OliverMay 5, 2022 at 7:37 AM

      Oh good to hear from you. I had trouble commenting on your blog last week.

      Delete
  3. Kris PetersonMay 5, 2022 at 12:02 PM

    Nicely done! It's great to have a partner's help in the garden. I'd probably still be removing lawn and laying flagstones if I hadn't had similar help.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 6, 2022 at 4:51 AM

    Is that Pan watching over Michael’s work? Is he carrying a planter on his head?

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    1. Phillip OliverMay 6, 2022 at 7:39 AM

      It is a planter and I haven't even put plants in yet. He came without it and we found the planter at a box store that incredibly matched it.

      Delete
  5. Barbara H.May 6, 2022 at 7:04 AM

    Hurray for Michael. Great job. I have the pavers laid flat and it really helps. I love the upright pavers, too, but I have far too many beds to tackle that part of it.

    ReplyDelete

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