For people who grow roses in a climate like mine, a medium zone 5 in the middle of Michigan, I could distill everything I think I know about spring pruning to three points: 1) Don't prune too early or you'll just have to prune again; don't prune too late or the plant will just waste it's energy trying to make new growth on damaged wood. Tax time (April 15th) plus or minus a few weeks works for me. 2) Ignore spring pruning advice given in books by people who don't live in your zone. For example, the standard advice to not prune Hybrid Teas until the end of their second year is just silly if you live in zone 5. 3) The one most important rule: Prune back each cane until you see a completely white or green cut surface across the cane, with no brown in the center (this is one case where the standard advice in rose books is correct). If your rose ends up with any canes longer than 6 inches, either you didn't follow this advice, or the winter was unusually mild, or you have some superior method for winter-protection, or your rose is exceptionally cold-hardy, or you don't live in zone 5.

Yeah, it will end about July 16th. Then it will be immediately hot, humid and sticky. Then in August, about the time of the State Fair the monsoons will start. :) Actually, it's supposed to warm up by the end of next week. This weekend is supposed to be in the mid to upper 50s, so.... Spring is coming, she just took a left turn at Albuquerque or in our case Albaqurkie. :) Diann

Hi all! Hi Bill-it isn't any fun replacing plants in our landscaping because of this freeze we had. I still have a few to replace....I'm waiting for a warmer day to do it though BUT I still need to buy the plants first (LOL). That would help, huh? Beaver: Here IT is...coming around the corner..... The Power of the Mind is coming.......WARMTH WARMTH WARMTH WARMTH WARMTH!!!!!! Do ya feel it??? You got what you asked for before (lots of snow!!!) and now you're asking for "more" (Geez-LOL). We felt the same as you waiting for some warmer weather (I know..we don't have it as cold as you do) AND we finally got them. It was in the high 59 today...are ya jealous? Hehehehe....a heatwave for sure. Well, we are getting cooler weather again. :( I know we won't have any snow or ice and believe me-I am very glad of that. You can have it all. I don't think you are a dork. Funny saying though-I used to use that word a lot too hahaha. Soooooo here you go-enjoy it!!! I have been outside but not really working in my yard lately because of the winds blowing cold. I do see some pansies blooming now they look really beautiful which makes me happy. My tulips are growing taller each day. I had crocus bloom already. I have some daffodills coming up too. I did go to a nursery and bought some flowers a few days ago. Planted some and am waiting to finish planting them after these winds go away. (No drooling now-you'll be out there working soon enough) Seacliffsand: I don't have climbing roses but I do know there is a special way of pruning them. Lisa, do you know it? I would call a local nursery for the how to on doing it asap. Not sure where you are but Plant World and Star Nursery in Las Vegas are great with advise on everything. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. Beca~

I picked up l8 pots from church. All of those pots are regrowing new lilly plants, and there are multiple plants in each pot, which means multiple stems of the flowers. I am so excited. I feel like I've done a good deed by saving them from the garbage pile. What a waste that would have been.