1. Check winter protection to see that your soil mounds around the base of your bushes have not settled too much. You
may need to add more protection. A good mulch will keep the soil cool during the winter warm spells and tend to prevent
damaging premature growth.
2. Now is a good time to relocate bushes, to make new beds or to rework old ones. January is also a good month to
throw a little manure or compost between the rose bushes as you have them mounted up. This will let the manure or
compost content absorb into the ground.
3. Keep the chickweed pulled out of established beds. It grows and seeds like crazy in cool weather and seeds now are
future weeds multiplied. Some of the warm days we get every now and then (if not too windy) is a good time to get out
and weed your beds and check for any broken canes from our Oklahoma winds or the ice storm.
4. Check out the rose magazines, catalogs and the Internet sites for the new roses coming out in 2008 or you may want
to add more of your old favorites. Place your order soon to ensure you get the varieties you want.
5. Order new labels or stakes for the new roses you will be receiving or the old labels you need to replace. You know the
names of your roses but visitors do not.
6. Finish the beds that you should have finished last October. Remember all the new roses you’ve just ordered or are
planning to order! Remember - don’t try to crowd too many bushes in one area. That will just make more work for you
later when you have to move them. If they have adequate space it will also make it easier during spring and fall pruning.
7. Throw away any tag ends of pesticides that you think may no longer be effective. They will not be any better in the
spring. Follow directions on the label for proper disposal.
8. Sharpen and oil shears or maybe order a new pair of pruning shears.
9. Check the moisture in your rose beds - remember, moist not soggy. The bushes require less water while dormant but
the ground should not be allowed to dry out. The root system needs a good drink. If you have roses in pots this is
especially important to keep checked. You could lose roses during the winter if they do not get adequate water.
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