2024: PRIOR 2022: FREEDOMGARDENS: Emma June, Blush Hip, Brise Parfum, Perennial Blue. LongAgoRoses: Martine Guillot, Flamenco Rosita CPofR: Mme. Anisette, Jude the Obscure,PhloxyBaby, KatarenaZeimet. Gulistan: Bordeaux x2.

2023 alive through winter: AbeDarbyx1, Ghislaine de Feligonde x1, Mel'sHeritage x1, Bordeaux x1, FlamencoRosita x2, EmmaJune x1, MmeAnisette x2, Cinderella x2, DayDream x3BriseParfum x2.
Figs: Violette de Bordeaux x2.

Rootings Died over Winter:NOID, Seafoam x 3, DD x3, EJ x2, JTO x2, Abe x1, MGuillot x1, Bordeaux x1, Cinderella x1, Zaide x1, GdF x3.

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.

Finally identified this rose that Barbara Worl gave me about 20 years ago. Stu Dalton helped determine the name.

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.