Unless you are heating and cooling the garage, you won't be able to keep it within that temperature range. For example, we had a high close to 15ðC today, and that's about how warm it was in the garage. It's not going to last, but .... (in case anybody really wants to know why I think smother love in winter protection is a bad idea)

On the other extreme, I say the garage has been down to -5ðC with roses in there, but it may not have been that cold. It does freeze and stay frozen for several days at a time since snow can hang around on the snowblower for that long.

If the roses are on the small side, covering them with cardboard boxes isn't a bad idea. It keeps them dark, and may help a bit with temperature swings. I've always had trouble with very small pots, but think that's a water issue more than a temperature issue.

Yes, I can heat the garage - We have a very large overhead heater that was put in by the previous owners. So we can keep it warm.

But should I keep the garage warm? I just don't know.

Boxes are a good idea. I never thought of that.

Smother love is all I have, because there are too many roots and rocks in the yard. I've killed a Frederic Mistral in about a week. Plus Morden Blush (previous owner) was a 1" little thing. I had to pot it up before I knew what rose it was. So if Morden Blush can barely survive outside in that root crowded soil, I don't know what can. I know that some trees can cause other plants to die around them (allolopathy). I swear that's what it is.

So it's either roses in pots or no roses. So I'm pretty desperate here.

Thanks for your patient help! :)
Carol

I have for many years over wintered my standards (tree roses), miniature pots and sometimes new fall roses that I have yet to find a place for. While winter temps may differ from yours, we do much the same as you do in preparation for storing... such as I prune the roses, deleaf them and give them a good winter spray ( I think this helps deter aphids when they start into growth). The pots are quite wet when they are put into storage, and they are not watered until they are in full leaf which is usually by the end of February. We always hope we can move them outside at that time, and some years we're lucky. I can't remember the last time I lost one of the roses. Our garage is unheated and the only reason I would consider heat is if the soil in the pots was freezing. So far I have been very successful with this method. I suppose that if the pots were very small, they may need water, but mine are large pots and don't seem to dry out.

How cold does your Temperatures get in zone 3?

Thanks majenta! I think the best thing that I have learned from this is to not put leafed out roses in the garage. Either wait for them to fall off or take them off myself. I think that's why I've had such a hard time with my roses this year.

I also did some searching on the web and found that the roses should be on a styrofoam sheet or wood boards to get them off the cold floor. I don't think you would have to worry about thaqt in zone 7. Also the garage shouldn't be allowed to go below 20F (-7C). I have a heater that will take care of that.

So I feel like the panic is gone.

I bought a thermometer earlier today, and I just checked the temperature and it's 0 C (32 F) in the garage and - 14C (7F) outside.

I can even set my overhead heater to go on whenever the temperature gets to -7C.

Sheesh I feel so much better. I was panicking thinking there might not be any more roses for me.

Thanks for all your help!
Carol