This is a motion I get a lot from phratry who live where there is a true winter with freezing temperature . Everyone seems confused as to when they should prune theirroses . Interestingly enough , most seem to feel it should revolve around man - made calendar date like October or January . Some advocate clip afterward , some earlier , and some say just do it when you have metre .
Here ’s why the timing does matter . Pruningtoo soon may stimulate tender new growth during a lovesome trance that could be killed afterwards by a freeze . Prune too recently , and you wo n’t get that great leap prime .
So what is the good time to rationalize so you do n’t get into trouble ?

I have a real dim-witted solution that has nothing to do with the calendar :
Prune when theforsythiabegins to bloom.
menses .
What I bonk about this from the moment I heard it is that it ’s nature is tell us when it ’s time to prune . You see , we do n’t know if it ’s buy the farm to be a farseeing or brusque wintertime , and no yearly yanking of Punxsutawney Phil out of the comfort of his home is pop off to make us any wiser .
But the plant make love . If it ’s a foresighted winter , they blossom later . During a inadequate winter , they flower rather . So keep an eye out for the forsythia — and when it initiate to blossom , start to prune .

vane manufacturer ’s note :
Some readers have been baffle by this advice , as forsythia does not grow in their field . In those locales , you could check topsoiltemperature to a depth of at least 6 inch . If it ’s above 55 ° fluorine , you should be good to prune your roses . Forsythia typically blooms when the top grunge warms to 55 ° atomic number 9 .
Fine Gardening Recommended Products

ARS telescope Long Reach Pruner
Fine Gardening receives a commission for token purchase through links on this site , include Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs .
Greenworks 40V ( 185 MPH / 340 CFM / 75 + Compatible Tools ) Cordless Brushless Leaf Blower / Vacuum , 4.0Ah Battery and Charger include

Get our latest steer , how - to article , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .
sign you up …
Related Articles
How to Prune Commonly Overgrown Shrubs
How to Prune Hydrangea Bushes
How to Prune Floribunda Roses
Spring Came Early And I Haven’t Pruned My Roses Yet!
unite hunky-dory Gardening for a costless enlist live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals proficient manager …
When I espy a picky sand buck cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I knew I was in worry . With a delightful colouration traffic pattern …
When we only prioritise plant life we need over plants our landscape painting needs , each time of year is fill with a never - ending list of task : pruning , swipe , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be thrifty when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - flush it by a twain …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access members get more
Sign up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the respite of the member - only content library .
lead off Free Trial

Get stark site access to expert advice , regional subject matter , and more , plus the photographic print magazine .
Start your FREE trial
Already a member?enter




![]()
![]()




![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()















![]()
![]()

![]()
![]()
![]()




