Q. What is the correct way to prepare Knockout roses for the winter? Should they be fertilized or cut back? --J.S.
A. Most roses are hardy enough to do well in our relatively mild winters without special care, says Derek Morris, an agent with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service.
Mulch the roses with either pine needles or wood chips, but do not pile mulch up against the stems. Leave a couple of inches at the base.
Wait until February or March to prune and fertilize roses. Spring pruning allows for removal of wood that might have been damaged over the winter. When the buds begin to swell in the spring, it is time to prune.
Use sharp pruning shears and prune at a slant, removing wood about a quarter-inch above an outside bud.
Q I put in a few strawberry plants for the first time last spring. How do I make sure they survive the winter? -- P.M.
A. Strawberries should be mulched with straw, pine needles or shredded leaves in the fall. Fertilize the plants when they resume growing next spring.
Q. As I was scraping the frost off my windshield on Monday, I wondered, what is the date for the first frost in fall? Is it early this year? -- J.H.
A. We are about on schedule. The average date for the first frost in Winston-Salem is in mid-October; the average last frost date is in mid-April. Of course, that is just an average; the actual date can vary widely from year to year.
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