Revive Rose Garden

I have grown veggie for many years, but it was just something I did. My passion was my roses. I babied them, kept them pruned, deadheaded, fertilized and treated for pest.
Then I discovered Permies, and my whole perspective changed. No more chemicals for anything. I started to get more and more into my veggie garden. I was so focused on everything veggie garden I greatly neglected my poor rose garden. Also my drip system tanked, I knew it was going to be a ton of hard work to fix it and didn't want to give it the time and effort. Unfortunately the roses have gotten almost no water except rain which is pretty much non-existent in the summer, for a couple of years. I'm lucky any of them survived. I definitely don't deserve them.
I have really missed spending time in my rose garden. I'm determined to bring it back to it's glory.  It's such an overwhelming task I have broken it into 4 tasks. #1 prune. #2 weed, and clean. #3 replace drip system.  #4 put wood chips down.
I finished phase one.  I was beating myself up for my neglect, and was stopped in my tracks by a gift. I found a birds nest with a rose inside.  It made me feel a little better. It doesn't negate my neglect, but at least there was a benefit.  I found two nests. I also found a few long blackberry vines. Some of you might be thinking oh no, my family in Washington State would, but we love blackberries, and I have a difficult time growing them. I thought the vine I have on the other side of the rose garden was not doing as well as it is. I also found a few that rooted in the soil. I will dig them up and plant them in a better place.
I'm not looking forward to #2, but I'm happy to have started.

I know nothing of roses except the climbing roses we planted many years ago here in western MN are still very robust. They tolerate our cold climate and have been very prolific the last 2 years with much above normal rainfall. Got them from Bachmans in MSP. They bloom for a long time and have had very little care except cutting out the dead material. Built a cedar trellis for them when starting out, still stands strong today. For flowers on this farm, it is survival of the fittest, high maintenance does not cut it.

Doug you have the right rose for your needs because Climbers don't need to be pruned like other roses.
Everyone always say how roses are so needy and hard. At least where I live I don't agree. Once a rose is established it's quite hardy. If they weren't I wouldn't have any roses left. I haven't fertilized for at least 3 years (only organic these days). I don't use anything else.  Pruning helps keep fungal disease down, and more  flowers, but again for the most part not a must.
I love my roses, and have missed walking through the roses garden enjoying the blooms, and amazing sent. For me it's worth the effort.

Done with phase 2. I have removed all the old drip lines.  My son is going to help remove the crepe myrtle. My rose garden was much smaller, and in the back corner was a crepe myrtle. I never really liked it. It was constantly covered with powdery mildew., and just not my cup of tea.  I removed it. I dug not only down, but around to remove as much of the roots as I could find.  I have been fighting it ever since.  When I tried to dig it up I'm not exaggerating when I say there's a root larger than my arm. I definitely need help.
Next we will remove the crepe myrtle, lay down new weed cough. I know everyone  at Permies hates it, and I'm trying to use it a lot less. In this area it's saved me so much work. I'm going to put down a second layer. Then I will lay down the drip line. Add all the drippers. Add a thick layer of wood chips, and call it good. Still a lot of work, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel.