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Ask Felicia: When Is The Best Time To Move Established Roses?

In her weekly newsletter, Growing Wonder with Felicia Alvarez: Simple Tips for Thriving Roses, Gardens & Homes, Felicia offers expert advice to help you cultivate stunning roses, vibrant gardens, and welcoming homes. Each edition features a subscriber-submitted question, where Felicia provides thoughtful answers to your rose, garden, and home-related queries. This Q&A was originally featured as a highlighted question from one of our subscribers, published in the newsletter.


QUESTION FOR FELICIA


Q: "I have established roses that need to be moved. How should I do that and when is the best time to?"

Submitted by: Blaine from Cincinnati, Ohio - Zone 5


A: Greetings, Blaine! In Zone 5, where winters are colder, the best time to move established roses is in early spring, just before new growth starts, or in late fall, after the first frost (but before hard freeze) when the plant is dormant. This timing minimizes stress since the plant isn't actively growing, making it easier to handle the roots. 
 
For you in zone 5 that would be late March to early April or late October to early November. A good rule of thumb in any growing zone is to move an established rose at the same time you would be planting bare root roses and doing your yearly dormant pruning.
 
Here's a step-by-step guide:
  1. Prepare the New Location: Dig a hole in the new spot that's at least twice as wide and as deep as the rose's root ball. Add some compost to enrich the soil. BONUS STEP: Get a soil test done in your new planting location and use the results to determine how best to prepare the soil prior to transplanting.
  2. Prune the Rose: Trim back about one-third of the plant to reduce stress on the roots and make it easier to handle.
  3. Dig Up the Rose: Start digging about 12-15 inches away from the main stem to avoid damaging the roots. Go down as deep as possible to get a good portion of the root ball.
  4. Replant Quickly: Transfer the rose to its new spot immediately to prevent the roots from drying out. Place it at the same depth it was growing before, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly. You can also plant it in a pot if you need to move it to a new permanent location at a later time.
  5. Aftercare: Water the rose well after transplanting and keep an eye on it through the winter. Applying a layer of mulch around the base can help retain moisture and protect roots.
The key is timing the transplanting around dormancy and minimizing root disturbance so your rose will thrive in its new location! Happy growing, Felicia



GET HELP WITH YOUR GARDEN

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Photos by: Jill Carmel Photography

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