too late to winterize roses?

[Steve Bakken]

OK, so with thanksgiving preperations and everything else going on I didn't get the wife's hybrid roses "tipped" into the ground yet. With the cold nights that the Mankato area had the last few days, are they done for or is there still time to save them?

[sparcebag]

When I had roses(other house) I just let first frost go by then covered them with leaves and a tarp,plastic whatever so snow could'nt compact and freeze wet leaves.Always had roses next year.

[wingnutken]

No its not too late. The main reason that you tip and cover roses is to keep them from freezing and thawing repeatedly over the winter. After your rose bushes freeze they think its spring if they start to thaw on a warm sunny day. When you cover your roses you are doing it to keep them from thawing. Ken

[goose52]

we just put some dirt on them and cover with hay and have had pretty good results, for up here. when its gotten later (hunting delayed) in fall after freeze up and don't have any loose dirt, just the hay or straw worked ok, just get it off as early as possible in spring. have tried the white rose cones on them, but had more die. without any protection, most of mine died. i've never buried mine, but have heard it is best method. good luck.

[FRESHWATER PETIE]

My wife just covered hers recently, be good to do it before it snows this weekend.