Can I move my rose bush in the fall?

[maureen]

It is late October, can I move my rose bush now or should I wait for the spring?

[The Helpful Gardener]

Put down the shovel and step away from the rose...

That's a chore better left until spring. The plant is moving sugar to the roots as we speak; disturb those and the plant goes hungry and starts the new year behind things. A hard prune and a quick move first thing (after frost) next year...

Scott

[wileydog]

Put down the shovel and step away from the rose...

That's a chore better left until spring. The plant is moving sugar to the roots as we speak; disturb those and the plant goes hungry and starts the new year behind things. A hard prune and a quick move first thing (after frost) next year...

Scott

is it ok in mild climate to move well established rose bushes to a new home?

[The Helpful Gardener]

Winter is winter and roots is roots...

I wouldn't go there; wait until spring for better results. Could you? Oh, sure; how do you think they get all those box roses to the store for first thing in spring? But have you seen how long it takes a box rose to establish? Freshly dug rose won't ever know it was out of the ground...

Scott