To keep plants healthy and to encourage prolific blooming, the garden experts at The Home Depot say Western Washington residents should prune their rose bushes no later than early March.

Mike Skinner, manager of the Aurora Home Depot store located at 1335 N. 205th, actually suggests that rose growers should have trimmed their bushes during the week of Feb. 22. "In this part of the country, we have a pretty narrow window of opportunity for pruning roses," he says. "Before the week of Feb. 22, there's still a chance of frost, which can kill the top few inches of a newly pruned stock. By the first part of March, rose bushes begin to set their growth and buds - and pruning too late can put the plant into shock."

Proper timing of pruning is well worth the effort, Skinner adds. Proper rose pruning encourages new growth, which in turn contributes to a greater number of blooms. It also prevents bushes from growing in a gangly pattern.

"Although beginning gardeners or those new to roses often come into our store with questions about pruning their plants, it's really quite easy," Skinner says. "All you need are the right tools and a little instruction."

Here are some pruning basics for healthy rose growth:

€ For clean, swift cuts, use sharp rose shears. Pruning older, more established plants with thick canes may require a pruning saw. In addition, gardeners should invest in a pair of gloves to protect hands and arms from sharp thorns.

€ Remove any dead wood and parts of the bush that have no healthy growth.

€ In general, remove a third to one-half of the prior year's growth.

€ Cut away branches that are not symmetrical or those that grow into the center of the bush. You should aim for a V-shaped bush with an open center to promote air circulation.

€ Remove by hand any suckers that have grown near the roots. If left alone, they will grow into long canes without flowers. You may need to dig down a bit to do this.

Now is also a good time to plant bare-root roses, which are totally dormant when planted, but come alive in the spring. Bare-root roses cost less than roses already growing in a pot, and are not susceptible to transplant shock. They need to be planted in full sun, and not too close to the house or other bushes.

"A little bit of work now will create a beautiful rose garden in the coming months," says Skinner.