When is the best time to prune the roses in your garden?

Q: When should I prune my roses? They never go completely dormant in the winter.

In Southern California, we don’t experience winter like the rest of the country. Most gardening guides will tell you to prune your roses in late fall, once all the leaves have fallen. In areas with mild winters, many perennials, including roses, don’t drop all of their leaves by winter.

When the days become shorter and the temperatures drop, most perennials will stop producing new leaves and flowers. These plants are going dormant in a different way. Many roses will continue to flower, but not as enthusiastically as they do in the summer. Once you see this “slow down”, you can start winter pruning activities.

Q: What kind of vegetables grow well in the winter? Specifically – leafy greens for salads or cooki