How do I overwinter my tree rose?

Tree or standard roses are produced by bud-grafting the desired rose variety onto a tall stem. Since the cold-sensitive bud union may be 2 or 3 feet above the ground, tree roses are extremely vulnerable to winter injury or death. Tree roses are best suited to areas with mild winter climates.

The first step in protecting a tree rose is to decide which direction to lay the plant. Then loosen the soil in the opposite direction with a spade. Put the blade into the soil about 1 to 1.5 feet from the base of the stem. Then gently rock the spade back and forth to loosen the soil and free the roots. Loosen the soil in a semicircle around the plant. On the other side of the tree rose, dig a trench to accommodate the plant and then carefully bend the trunk (stem) down to the ground.  Peg the stem down with stakes. Finally, completely cover the tree rose with several inches of soil.

Prepare tree roses for winter after plants have been hardened by exposure to several nights of temperatures in the low to mid-twenties. Normally, this is early November in northern Iowa, mid-November in central areas and late November in southern counties.

Tree roses growing in pots or other containers also need winter protection. One method is to dig a trench in the garden, lay the potted tree rose in the trench and cover it with several inches of soil. Another method would be to place the potted tree rose in a cool garage or shed. Temperatures in the storage area should be consistently in the 30s and lower 40s.

How can I prevent deer from rubbing off the bark on my small trees in the yard?

In fall, bucks rub their antlers on trees to remove the dried velvet from their antlers and to mark their territory. This rubbing removes the thin layer of bark on small trees and can seriously damage or destroy them. Trunk damage typically occurs 1.5 to 3.5 feet above the ground.

Damage caused by bucks rubbing their antlers on small trees can be prevented by driving three wooden stakes or fence posts around each tree. Space the stakes or posts about 18 inches apart.

When should I mulch my strawberries?

Strawberries should be mulched in fall to prevent winter injury. Excellent mulching materials include clean, weed-free straw and chopped cornstalks. Apply 3 to 5 inches of material. After settling, the depth of the mulch should be approximately 2 to 4 inches. 

Allow the strawberry plants to harden or acclimate to cool fall temperatures before mulching the bed. In northern Iowa, strawberry plantings are normally mulched in late October to early November. Gardeners in central and southern Iowa should mulch their strawberries in early to mid-November and mid- to late November, respectively.

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