Guest Author - Sue MacNeil

Now is the time of year when the stores start to fill their shelves with plants and flowers for the garden. Among them you'll find bare root roses. These roses, sold while still in a dormant stage, are popular because they are inexpensive and easy to find. You can buy them from nurseries, big box stores, and even grocery stores. I advise buying your roses at a nursery, because you're more likely to find people able to answer any questions you may have. Clerks at grocery and department stores aren't likely to be as informed. Here's a quick guide to getting the most roses for your money:

Bare root roses come in three different grades: 1, 1 ½, and 2. Grade 2 roses are the youngest. I recommend buying only grade 1 roses, as they are the hardiest. You want a plant with 2 to 3 sturdy green canes. The canes should be firm but not brittle. If they are mushy or show any signs of damage, avoid. Also avoid plants that have any dead canes, even if they have a few that are green. Chances are they'll soon die as well. Some companies dip the canes in wax. Steer clear of this as the wax can cause the canes to burn in the summer sun.

You also want to make sure the plant has a healthy root system. If the plant has spindly roots, or roots that appear mushy or dried out and brittle, the plant won't thrive. You also want to avoid plants that are already showing signs of coming out of dormancy. The one drawback to bare root roses is that since they are sold dormant, you have to go by the pictures on their packaging to find out what kind of blooms to expect.

When you get your roses home, soak them overnight in a bucket or sink full of water. To plant, find a sunny spot and space the bushes at least 3 feet apart to insure good air circulation. Dig a hole about 18 inches deep and fill with water. Make sure it drains well, then remove all packing materials from the plant and spread the roots out as you place it in the hole, and fill with dirt. Leave about 2 inches of the main stem showing. Water again, slowly and deeply, and then mulch to prevent weeds. A good mulch also keeps the plant from drying out too quickly.

Once planted be sure to water every other day for the first two weeks. The plant should begin coming out of dormancy by then and should grow quickly. Once the foliage begins to grow, you can begin fertilizing. Roses also like acid soil, so you can work a few handfuls of crushed eggshells into the soil at the same time.

By following these simple steps and being a careful shopper, you'll have beautiful roses all summer long!