Completed pruning of everything (other than the Dr. Huey climber) earlier today at long last. I pruned 208 rose bushes over 12 different days, which averages out to about 17 per day. I am probably more meticulous than most (especially on picking up overwintered leaves) so it does take me a while. Last year I completed pruning on May 10th, so I'm exactly 3 weeks ahead of last year. I'd say Spring here is also about 3 weeks ahead of last year.

I am happy it's done. Now we need warmer weather - high of only 49 tomorrow and it will be 34 about 6 AM tomorrow morning. Would also be nice to have wind gusts of less than 30 mph, but I suppose one can't have everything.

May not get much pruning done today. Went out at 11:30 am to put some Epsom Salts down around yesterday's pruned roses and it was downright uncomfortable. It's around 60 degrees but the wind is blowing 20-40 mph. It's coming from a direction where the house doesn't seem to be blocking any of it. Maybe I'll be braver later in the day.

Yesterday's rain did not amount to much - about 1/16th of an inch in my rain gauge. May get a little more today but not much. I am going to have to break out the hoses soon I reckon.

Update: did get out just before 4 PM and was able to prune 10 more bushes. That's as much as I could do in the relative cold (high 50s temp) and 20-40 mph winds. It was chilly to say the least. Some 92% have been pruned (192 bushes) with only 17 remaining. Might be able to finish tomorrow afternoon if the rain holds off.

The rain held off today until about 4:00 - so I was able to prune another 22 bushes. The scorecard is now 182 completed (or 87%) with 27 still to go.

I came across a few bushes that are slow to get going. First one I noticed was one of my Moonstone bushes - been a solid performer every year for me - I hope it will get growing. Also noticed a Brigadoon and Sunset Celebration in a similar predicament.

Still amazed how the big basal canes typically have more brownish pith closer to the base than does a cane one-third as big/thick. The thicker canes also seem to have more die-back. One of the rose-growing mysteries I suppose.

My ancient Dr. Huey climber is not coming back strong from winter, unlike the previous 4 or 5 years (since I started taking care of it). Doesn't make any sense to me since it was quite the mild winter. I'm waiting to prune it to see what growth does push out. Perhaps it's on its own Spring timeline that is later than nearly all of the other roses. My pruning in 2024 is some 3-4 weeks ahead of 2023, which was not completed until about May 10. As I indicated above, there are a few bushes that also seem to be on the 2023 timeline. I'll just have to wait and see with Dr. Huey. It may be time for a new climber in that spot at the back of the garage. That would be quite the excavation - digging out a Dr. Huey climber/rootstock that has been in the ground for about 30 years. Not looking forward to that challenge.

Another 30 completed today on a beautiful sunny day. So, 160 are done and 49 remain - I am now 76.6% complete. Two more good days needed to finish. May have to wait until Thursday - rain expected the next two days.

Today I got to a rose that was really leafed out - a lesser rosarian might have said, "Looks Good" and moved on to the next bush. But I knew a hybrid tea needs to be pruned down to where there is decent cane thickness - so I pruned it. What rose is way ahead of all the others with Spring growth? Drumroll please....................................it's the Pretty Lady Rose in the South Garden. Honorable mention goes to Marmalade Skies.

I put down 2 TBS of Epsom Salts around every bush that has been pruned. Wanted to do that prior to the rain. First time I have ever done that. I have used Epsom Salts before but always added to water being used for fertilizer or with alfalfa tea.