What is the best time to have bare root roses delivered in this area for planting?
If you are ordering roses for this spring, it is suggested that you ask for them to be delivered in the last week in March or the first week in April. At that time the soil is workable and the weather is sufficiently tolerable to get the job done. Bare root roses will arrive enclosed in plastic with some type of moist material, peat moss, shredded newspaper, etc. The cardboard box should be placed in a cool area, such as an unheated garage or basement, until you are ready to work with the roses, in the next few days. If it will be more than a few days before you can plant them, the plants should be checked for moisture by opening the plastic bag, moistening with a spray if necessary, and closing and securing the container. Roses can be kept for a week or so before planting as long as they remain moist. The rose bed or hole where you intend to place a specific rose should have been prepared in the fall or, in any event, needs be prepared before the rose is readied for planting. Getting
