winter for roses

[roxanna]

i have styrofoam cones to put over my new rose bushes but am unsure when to do it. must the ground be actually frozen to prevent burrowing critters from setting up housekeeping in the cozy environs? or can i cover the roses now while i can still stake the cones to keep them in place? there are four or five inches of the first snowfall festooned over everything at the moment...

[regality]

I don't know how accurate this is (from www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/secrets-for-allyearround-rose-bush-care-revealed-1317808.html), but the article doesn't say the ground actually has to be frozen:

"SEASON 4: WINTER
Winter rose bush care is different. First, you have to expose the plants to about two weeks of below freezing temperatures to allow them to harden off and prevent new growth. Protect your bushes from the cold by mounding 8-12 inches of winter mulch over the crown and tying protective burlap covering over the exposed parts. In extreme conditions, you can lay the canes on the ground and cover them with mulch. When the year ends, it’s time to go back to the rose care tips outlined for spring. And the cycle goes on."

[roxanna]

thanks, regality! that was helpful. we are finally getting overnight temps below freezing, so i'll wait a while to cover the roses. just hope i can do it before we get any more major snow. if the temps hold, looks like we'll have a white Christmas here....