For others here...the winter is difficult...because we live in an area that gets chinook winds...which can drastically warm the area into the teens even (celsius)....so roses grown in the ground have to be insulated from cold (-35 C) to (+14 or so C). That's why the system I mentioned works so well. But to tell the truth...not many people grow roses here.
As to soil...I'm still struggling with that. When I first moved to Calgary, I found this place that sold in large, large bags potting soil. That was the absolute best. I don't know why they stopped making it after 8 years. Then I've been struggling trying to find the right stuff...I tried going organic...didn't work in pots for me. Last year was terrible...tried all organic. Blech. I liked when I added worm leachate from my worm tower...but then I gave up on my worms. I'm going to try Sta Green Moisture Control Potting Soil. BenT suggested this (maybe others too?)...and I'm going back to inorganic fertilizers.
