When do You put Your Roses Outside? and Future Winter Protection?

General Discussion
1

Hello all,

Just curious, when and how everyone puts new roses outside to stretch their roots and grow? Do you have any specific height/age requirement(s) after germination recommendations? I have put my newbies outside after the threat of frost has passed (about May 1 here in zone 5). I have placed some roses as small as 3"-4" high with only a couple of true leaves. This was done out of necessity, but I think it was probably a little too early? Some of these roses did extremely well, but some got blackspot and died. What would be your recommendation based upon your own experiences?

Also, what do you do come wintertime? What do you do when you have small 5" high seedlings? What do you do with them when the cold weather arrives? Cover them with soil? Leave them outside? Bring them inside? A garage? Greenhouse? Cold Frame? I know variables like the cross of the seedling, hardiness zone, and health of the seedlings may effect what you do?

Andy

2

In z5, May 1 is good time to move seedlings outside.

Our seedlings go under a sunscreen for their first two weeks outside to prevent scorching.

Come winter, any seedlings in pots are put into unheated garage; seedings in ground get no protection. Very small seedlings are unlikely to survive, which is why you want to start them as early in year as possible.