I asked for advice on this on the rose group and I was told (for rose
bushes) not to use the cones that they let heat build up.

I also did some other reading, most helpfully in Month by month gardening in
Minnesota book put out by the Minnesota Horticultural Society
(www.northerngardener.com).

The main problem seems to be to protect plants when they need protection and
make sure that they get good air circulation when the temps rise. Here in
Minnesota that is a real problem in these transitional months. Last week we
had evening temps in the 30s and even one night below 30 and this week we
have had a heat wave. (Today it was in the 80s). If I had coned or wrapped
my roses last week, they would have been cooked. Instead, what I have
decided to do is use an "incremental method" which involves watching the
temps. when evening temps are between 25 and 30, I will just make sure that
I have a lot of dirt and fresh compost piled up around the base of the rose
bushes. at 20-25 or forcasts for high winds and cold weather, I will put up
1" mesh chickenwire cages (3' tall) around my rose bushes and my new hardy
peony tree and start a layer of mulch. (I have a bunch of chickenwire
already, for building protection cages for my bulbs!) I will keep adding
the mulch inside each cage as the temps drop so that by the worst weather
(usually in January) they should be fully protected. As the temps rise, I
will attempt to do the same thing in reverse. Hopefully it will work.

mm


"Stephen M. Henning" wrote in message
news
(Jerome) wrote:

Option 1: Just wrap burlap so it gently touches the
plants , that is dont choke it or leave more
than an inch or so between plant and burlap.
Wrap it two times around. Use 2 prong metal
stakes , about 6 in long , u shape , to hold
burlap.

This puts a large mechanical load on the plants. It also will breed
fungal damage by not allowing enough air circulation.

Option 2: Place 3 wooden stakes about 6 inches away from
plant in circular pattern and staple burlap to
them. Wrap the burlap only 1 time around plant.

This is best since it does not mechanically load or suffocate the plants
inside. The open top is important to prevent heat build up in the
middle of winter. Wrapping can be overdone. If you have plants that are
exposed to winter winds or winter sun and suffer, then this is called
for. Otherwise it can be a waste of time. There is no problem doing
it, just the fact it may not be necessary.

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