Rose Planting Guide and Tips

1. Plants:
Buy good plants, preferably Number 1's and at least 2 years old, field grown and budded plants. Pruned plants should have canes with a diameter of at least 1/4 inch at the top.

2. Planting:
Select a sunny, well-drained location. Trim off all broken or bruised roots. Cut top growth back to 6 to 8 inches. Dig planting holes at least 6 inches deeper than is needed for the plant roots. Also, make the holes large enough that the roots will fix without crowding or bending. Place small rocks in the bottom of the hole to help with drainage. Mix 1 TBS. of some kind of fertilizer with the soil and spread over the rocks. Make a mound in the center to receive the plant, set the roots over this mound, spread the roots out and fill in the hole with soil. Pack the soil as you fill in the hole.

3. Feeding:
Use a good fertilizer. In early spring, should be the first feeding, as soon as leaf buds begin to show. Work the plant food into the soil around the plant. The second feeding should be after the first heavy blooming and the third feeding should be in late summer. (If planting Tea Roses, use half of the above amounts) Always work the fertilizer lightly into the soil within 4 inches of the plant. You may need to water your roses in the summer, if the weather is dry. When watering,soak the soil to 6 to 8 inches, don’t just sprinkle.

4. Pruning:
Bush type roses should be trimmed or pruned in the early spring, just before the leaf buds begin to sprout, but before the growth starts. Remove all the dead areas and all the weak limbs of the rose bush.

5. When to Plant:
Spring is the ideal time to plant, but to be sure, always check with the one that sells you the rose bush, or you can check with your county extension agent.

6. Winter Care:
The frequent freezing and thawing are what kills roses during the winter. Mulching with straw, peat moss, or any such items, will help regulate the soil temperature and hamper the effects of freezing and thawing. Pull up the soil around each plant to the height of about 6 inches after the first frost and then re-mulch after the ground is frozen.

The only things you really need to grow beautiful roses are sun (about 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight), water, and fertilizer. But most of all, tender loving care.


Copyright by Dr. Bob's Gardening Tips