- You can plant bare root roses as soon as the soil is dry enough to work. The dormant plants are able to take a freeze. When the forsythias are in full bloom, it is a signal to uncover the roses and remove the winter mulch. If you have a deer problem, apply a repellent spray now. There is little green to eat and a deer will eat a rose to the ground. Prune climbing roses to fit their support. Pinch back overly vigorous canes to force branching. Remove only broken or winter damaged canes on bush roses. However, if some bush roses are inclined to outgrow their spot, cut back now.

- Yews can be heavily cut back this month. They will have a whole growing season to put out new growth. Barberies that are becoming too big for their spot, can be cut back heavily now. Reach into the bush, then renewal prune in 5-7 areas. Then trim back at top. This makes for a more natural looking shrub as opposed to a "ball". Wear long rose gloves to accomplish this task.

Questions? Contact Roger A. Larson, County Extension Director at ralarso1@uiuc.edu

• Annual Report - 2006

View more reports >>

• Master Gardener