Bare root roses are dormant rose plants that are often shipped through the mail in order to be planted in areas where roses are not a native species of plant. To plant and grow bare root roses, you must prepare ahead of time.
Give your roses 1 to 2 inches of water each week -- in single watering session -- from early spring through fall. Increase the frequency to every three or four days in hot and dry weather.
Watering after fertilizing helps to move nutrients into the root zone. Start fertilizing in early spring and stop in late summer or fall: Make your first application about four to six weeks before growth begins in spring or, in areas where winters are cold, about the time you take off your winter protection.
An ideal soil would be made up of 45% minerals (sand, clay, silt), 5 % organic (plant and animal) material, 25% air and 25% water. The mineral portion would be loam (20 – 30% clay, 30 – 50% silt and 30 – 50% sand).
For best results, cut back Roses in early spring after the last hard frost to 10" to 18". Remove all winter-injured or damaged wood. Never prune in the fall or winter, as this is the time roses are preparing for dormancy, and you do not want to create unnecessary growth.