The days are getting shorter, there is an ever present nip in the air, and leaves crackle under your feet as you walk to the mailbox - the outdoor gardening season is coming to a close. The frigid temperatures always seem to invade too soon. In order to reap the same rewards from the garden next year, it is necessary to take some protective steps this fall.
Roses are often at the top of gardener's list for winter protection.
Often times it's not the low temperatures that damage rose bushes, rather rapid temperature changes and repeated freezing and thawing do the most damage. If you are uncertain as to the necessity of protecting your rose for the winter, go ahead and take steps to winterize it. Winterizing cannot hurt the plant when done properly. First of all, a healthy rose bush is much more likely to make it through the winter than a weak, pest-infested bush. Control insects and diseases during the growing season.