When to prune roses in Chicago?

Just moved to a house with a bunch of rose bushes. Do I prune them in the Spring? What month if I'm in Chicago and how far down should I prune them? Some look like tea roses, one is a climber, the others look like bushes.





I also read that you should put egg shells around them. Does anyone have any other tips?





Thanks for your help!

When to prune roses in Chicago?
You can prune them now before they break their dormant period. For the tea roses,pick the three or four largest canes on each plant and cut back to about 2 feet. Cut out the other little branches and scraggly stuff. For the bush roses, cut out the freeze damaged and dead parts (you may have to wait until later in the spring to tell). Don't cut the climber back-the blooms grow on the old canes-just clean up the smaller sticks that are messy around the bottom.Start the serious fertilizing in May- use Miracle grow for Roses or some brand like that. Follow the directions for the brand you use and continue to fertilize all summer up to about September. This year you can cut back in the fall if you choose, but I live in the Great Lakes area and sometimes still have roses in November.
Reply:They should have been pruned last autumn. If you can, get out there now and prune no more than 1/3. The eggshells will add lime to the soil. Only add this if you need it.





The Muse