New rose bushes? Learn how to feed them right! This beginner's guide to rose fertilization ensures healthy growth and beautiful blooms.
You can never go wrong adding compost, leaf mold, and other organic matter to your soil to help give your roses a great base of nutrients and assist with drainage.
Newly Planted RosesWhen planting new rose bushes, amend the planting hole with lots of organic matter to create a nutrient-rich environment.
Prioritize fostering strong root growth by fertilizing with phosphorus only. This is because phosphorus plays a key role in root development, giving your new rose a solid foundation to thrive.
Hold off on fertilizers high in nitrogen until after your rose’s first bloom. While nitrogen is important later for healthy foliage, initially it can encourage weak top growth at the expense of strong roots.
It’s a great idea to apply epsom salt around the base of your rose plants because it encourages sturdy stems, green foliage, and gorgeous blooms.
During the first year of growth, sprinkle about 1/4 cup in spring. After the first set of blooms, it’s okay to fertilize them. You can’t go wrong with a mild fertilizer like fish emulsion every 3-4 weeks.
After the first set of blooms, it’s okay to fertilize them. You can’t go wrong with a mild fertilizer like fish emulsion every 3-4 weeks.
Follow along to learn more about fertilizing your garden roses.