Question
QUESTION: How do I give recently transplanted rose bushes the best chance to survive the winter?  

We live in Cincinnati, Ohio and the temp is going to drop below freezing tonight.  I had to transplant the roses this week because we moved, but thought it might be ok because the temps were still in the 60s.  I created a mound over with mulch over the bottom of each plant.  Is there anything more I can do to help them?

Thank you!

ANSWER: Hi Adrienne,

The main thing to watch with transplanted roses is the canes or branches drying out until they re-establish roots.  

With transplanted roses, make sure they were watered in well to ensure roots and soil are touching- no air pockets.

I know you had to move them but I have a concern about your winters.  How far down does your ground freeze?  If you would not mind letting me know that, I can give you better advise.  I am afraid that your ground will freeze and the roots will not be able to establish themselves.

Let me know some more about how your deep your ground freezes and I will be glad to get you through the winter.  For tonight, what you have done for your roses is fine.  

Jay

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I tried to look up the frost line for our area.  One map said 10-15 inches and another said 6-18 inches.  
Extreme frost map says 20-30 inches.

Should I continue to water them everyday to ensure that the roots and soil have no air pockets?  I'm concerned that I did not water them enough the day we planted them.

This is the weather forcast for the next 10 days:
Friday  49 high  37 low  sunny
Saturday  61 high  47 low  sunny
Sunday  63 high  50 low  windy
Monday  65 high  45 low (50% chance showers)
Tuesday  59 high  37 low  (30% chance showers)
Wednesday  60 high  37 low sunny
Thursday  54 high  38 low partly cloudy
Friday  53 high 42 low  scattered showers
Saturday  54 high  42 low  showers
Sunday  55 high  38 low showers

Thank you very much!
These bushes are very important to me, as they were my grandmother's.

Answer
Hello,

Watering the first week or so is critical and since the rose/s were not dormant you probably got plenty of active roots when you transplanted.

Here is what I suggest.  

1.  Pull back some of the mulch so you can water.  When you water, make sure you can wet the canes and make sure the water runs off.  Better yet,  make a saucer as big as your hole you dug to replant the roses. Do this for about a week unless you get rain.

2.  Put some phosphate on each rose.  This is good for root growth.  Look for something like
0-16-0, 0-14-0, 0-36-0.  This does not promote top growth as we do not want new leaves with winter coming.  About 1 cup per plant will do.  The big box stores carry it.  It is even called super phosphate.

3.Before your harsh winter sets in, make a wire ring out of wire to hold the dirt or mulch and cover the entire plant and area outside of the roots.  You want to insulate the roses from the freezing air and ground.  

Your 10 day forecast looks good for letting them get established a new root system.  Also, look at this video link. http://www.rose-gardening-made-easy.com/winterizing-roses.html
Please follow up if you have more questions.

You will be warmer than we are tonight.  Lower South Carolina is to get 26 to night and then be back in the low 80's by nest Wed.  

Jay