Question
I received a Knockout Rose last week in a pot it is very healthy, but it is getting cold out here in Barnett, Missouri so I am afraid to plant it. When would be a good time to plant it and what would should I plant it in we have bad soil around my house lots of rocks what can I do thanks :-)

Answer
Roses can be planted even when it is cold outside. By cold I mean that it isn't freezing solid yet. Rose roots will grow when the soil temperature is around 40' and Knockout roses are very hardy. To be on the safe side, plant it now and place the base of the canes 4 inches under the soil. Then take some compost, soil from another part of the garden as you don't want to take it off the roots, and then mound it up to about 12 inches.
-However if the weather is really too cold to plant your rose, then leave it in the pot but place it some where so it can get cold enough to have the leaves drop. When that happens bring it into an unheated garage ( it doesn't need light) and once a month make sure the soil is damp but not wet. Then you can plant it out in the spring after the last hard frost is over. Hope this helps.