Winter protection rose

Winter protection. Kansas gardens need winter protection
since temperatures drop as low as 10 to 15°F for periods of at
least 2 weeks at a time. Roses should be sprayed with a
fungicide first and then covered with loose, well-drained soil
or compost after most of the foliage has dropped. The mound
should be about 8 to l0 inches high. Lay straw or hay over the
soil mound and canes after the first hard freeze to protect the
plant from fluctuating temperatures. Excessively tall canes
should be pruned to a height of 36 inches to prevent being
whipped by strong winter winds. Roses should be covered by
Thanksgiving.
The insulating effect of the mounds often attracts small
rodents that feed on the bark of the canes. Insects and diseases
such as borers, cankers, leaf spots and other fungal diseases
can result from this injury. The biggest problem from winter
protection is mechanical damage to new and old growth when
removing the protection. However, it is better to protect the
plants than lose them from winterkill. Most insects and
diseases can be treated in the spring.