Glenn, Terosa is organic so it's not gonna do much until the soil microbes become active enough to process it. And the soil is too cold for that to happen now. Personally, I'd wait and topdress a bit later in the season when the soil warms and the roses really start pushing new growth.

Perfect, I feel better about them being in the ground than just sitting in pots.

Good to get on with it as they often start making new top growth this month. Awhile back I noticed a Banksian rose I have on a tree on Camano Island in a rather cold garden had a couple inches + of new shoot growth already.

I have a one yr. old Tea Rose planted in the ground. It is showing buds. Should I prune and fertilize it now living here in Anacortes?

Thanks!!!

If it's that small maybe you don't need to prune it. Fertilize if and when it needs it. Strictly speaking you should sample your soil and have it analyzed (check with Cooperative Extension) before engaging in a routine fertilization program. Often it is the case the fertilizers made up using multiple nutrients are not required. These can become detrimental if applied over and over to a soil not deficient in most of the ingredients.

Shamrockgal, for teas, chinas, and noisettes, it's a general rule of thumb that you prune nothing for three years. That gives these roses a chance to develop their twiggy structures and vitality. You might find it helpful to check in on the topic on the Antique Rose forum, and search particularly for Jeri Jennings' comments about pruning these babies. She's one of the resident experts and I think you'll find her advice very helpful. Which tea are you growing? I've just added several new teas into my garden in the last couple of years and found myself with the same question you raised. Jeri saved me from some mistakes that might have killed my plants.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Antique Rose Forum