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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