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Plant bare-root roses
Garden Tips Newsletter - November 12, 2001

The month of November starts the rose planting season. While roses can be planted through February 1st, November is a great month to get started. Early planting will help the plants get their roots established before the spring flowering season. Make sure to plant when the ground isn't frozen. Choose a location that receives at least six hours of full sun a day, has well-drained soil, and good air circulation. Prepare your bed by working the soil to at least a depth of 12-36 inches, add any needed amendments, and then dig your hole. Soak the roots of your bare-root rose for several hours so that they start to absorb water. Be sure your hole is large enough to handle the roots so that none of them get bent and set the rose on top of a prepared mound. Make sure the graft union is above the ground. Water the bed well for the next several weeks. For more information on roses and planting roses see Extension publication #529 Roses in Mississippi.

These archived newsletters were written by Dr. Lelia Scott Kelly. Kelly is a Horticulture Specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Her office is in the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Verona.