How should I go about trimming my rose bushes?

Answer by  kapoor (52)

Knockouts are tough and you can't really go wrong no matter what you do. I typically cut them back maybe halfway in late fall (to keep the wind from blowing them all over the place) and then in mid-March give them a final trim back to about 12 inches or so. Larry

Answer by  Peg (459)

Be sure to start by wearing leather gloves and long sleeves, preferably leather to protect your hands and arms from scratches from the thorns. Find the dead branches and trim them off as close to the healthy growth as you can. Shape the rose bush to finish the process. Carefully pick up the trimmed pieces and discard.

Answer by  mooska (42)

Roses should be pruned after the first frost. A good friend once told me to cut the branches so that when you are finished you can throw a cat through the bush without harming the cat.