Growing Roses: How to Do the Minnesota Tip

Winterizing roses is a fairly simple task for gardeners who live in southern climates. A good pruning and protective mulch will get roses through most winter conditions in those areas of the country. However, if you live in USDA Zone 5 or colder you should take some extra precautions. In these hardiness zones, the ground stays completely frozen nearly all winter.

One effective method of rose protection, including tender roses that would otherwise not survive the cold winters, was developed by Albert I. Nelson, who successfully grew many kinds of roses in his Minnesota gardens. Rose gardeners have aptly dubbed Mr. Nelson's method as the "Minnesota Tip".

Roses in northern gardens will enter dormancy about October, and this is the time to begin winterizing them. It should be done before the ground freezes.

1. Begin the Minnesota Tip by gathering together the dormant canes of your rose plant, and tie them together with twine. Wind the twine around the canes in a spiral to hold them securely, but not too tightly. Prune the rose before tying the canes, being careful to remove any diseased or damaged canes.

2. Water the area around the rose well, and allow the water to sink in. Carefully dig a trench in a line out from the rose. The trench needs to be wide enough and deep enough for the rose to lie in. You can use one trench between two close roses, and make it large enough to hold them both.

3. Be careful not to cut through roots when you dig the trench. If you encounter roots, lift them out of the way while you finish digging the trench around them. A spading fork helps loosen the soil around roots safely.

4. Use a spading fork to loosen the rose bush. Brush away some of the soil so you can see the roots, and gently tip the entire rose bush over sideways into the trench. Some of the roots will be exposed at this stage.

5. Hold the rose down while you cover the roots, canes and all with a mound of soil. You may need to bring in some additional soil. Cover the entire rose with at least 8 to 10 inches of soil.

6. Cover the mound with a thick layer of leaves or straw mulch, and make sure the mulch stays in place all winter. You don't want your rose to dry out, so keep the mound watered until the ground freezes.

7. Mark the top of the rose bush with a flag or small stake, and place another marker near the root area. This helps you locate the rose in the spring so you can set it back upright without damaging it.

8. The following spring, wait until the ground is completely thawed before you try to set up your rose. If the ground is still frozen and you have to pry up the rose, it is too early. Allow the ground to warm up naturally to avoid a weather shock to your rose.

References:
Personal Experience
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1205.html
http://sdces.sdstate.edu/south2/Horticulture/AB/columns/11.15.06.htm