Hello, I am brand new to this site and am in need of some guidance. I am a first time rose grower and would love to keep my beauties alive as long as I can! I am looking for some advice on how to winterize them and what would be the best way to do it please! I am currently living at an apartment with the roses out on my balcony. I don’t have access to an unheated garage, nor the ability to bury them unfortunately. I live in Becker, Minnesota zones 3 to 4. My thought was to put the pot in a cardboard box and fill it to the brim of the pot with straw, would this work? Or not a good idea? Im sorry for the long post, but I’m lost haha! Anything will help! Thank you all so much ahead of time for the advice!
1 Like
Welcome to the ARS rose forum. I am unable to help you, however, there are several rose societies in Minnesota who can surely give you the best advice. Start with www.minnesotarosesociety.org. There is also the Grantie City R.S (Saint Cloud), Twin Cities Rose Club(Carver), Lake Superior R.S. (Two Harbors).
l live in Zone 8a, considerably warmer than where you live. I don’t know if it would be possible to surround your pots with some type of heating coils for when the temps drop below 20 degrees? Hopefully, rosarians near where you live can offer helpful advice. Please mention the names of your roses too.
I live in Zone 5 so not quite as extreme in winter as you have. I think you are on the right track with your plan. Keeping the wind out will certainly help. You might consider using a mulch rather than straw. The objective is to not allow wide temperature swings. I would also add that the healthier your roses are going into winter, then the better chance they have of surviving the winter. Best of luck to you!
Hello Rebekah,
It’s wonderful to hear from a fellow rose enthusiast here in Minnesota! I’m actually the President of the Twin Cities Rose Club, and I’d be happy to share advice and help you get started. Let’s get connected!
Our club gives you the chance to connect with other local rose lovers — see what other gardeners are doing, share successes and challenges, and learn from one another.
You can reach me at dbechtle@gmail.com, and you can learn more about us on our website: https://twincitiesrose.org.
Looking forward to connecting and talking roses!
-Donny
1 Like