It is time to start gathering the materials you will need to winterize your roses, such as mulch, burlap and twine. In mid to late November after the first hard freeze you will want be ready to cover the base of the rose and a foot or so of the lower canes with compost or mulch. Climbers can be wrapped with several layers of burlap.

If you are considering a new flower bed for next spring you can begin now by layering in a lasagna garden. Layers of newspapers, compost, shredded leaves, garden soil, compost, grass clippings, pine needles or other organic matter can be placed over the area that you want to plant next spring. Water it well a couple of times before winter and turn it over in the spring.