For experienced and new gardeners alike, caring for roses can be among the most rewarding undertakings in your landscaping endeavors.
Elegant and classic, roses add an air of royalty to every landscape. The ticket to achieving this vision is learning how to correctly care for your roses. Although roses have earned a reputation for being difficult to grow, successful rose gardeners say it doesn’t have to be. In fact, growing roses can be downright easy when you’re armed with the basics of rose care.
Regular attention is key to beautiful and flourishing roses, and once you become familiar with the right methods for proper rose care your tasks will seem simple.
Watering your roses is essential, and the rule of thumb among rose gardeners is one inch of water per week. Remember that roses have deep root systems, so surface watering will not do; you will need to make sure to water deep for your rose plants to access the water they need, at least to subsoil levels. The deeper you manage to water, the deeper your rose’s root system will grow, providing added protection to the plant from surface droughts and other weather extremes.
Fertilizing – actually, knowing when to fertilize and when to refrain – is also important in proper and effective rose care. If planted in good soil, most rose varieties can thrive for years without supplemental fertilizer; natural bacteria and other native organisms all work together to provide the nutrients necessary for your roses to thrive. Trouble can start if roses are fertilized unnecessarily, as roses quickly become dependant on added fertilizers, and soon you will be constantly feeding them. Instead, when the need for fertilizer does arise, add an organic, slow-release type to the soil at first pruning in spring, and a small amount at the end-of-season’s post-bloom period just before they enter into winter dormancy.
Although roses will respond to organic and non-organic fertilizers, using organic fertilizers will maintain the natural balance within the soil that nature intended for your roses. Additionally, organic fertilizers won’t cause risk to your pets or local wildlife. An added bonus is the fact that organic fertilizers are consumed easily by the natural fungi, bacteria and organisms already in the soil, enhancing the soil’s natural fertility. However, if you choose another approach for your rose beds, the combination of inorganic fertilizer for best results is 4-8-4. or 5-10-5.
Pruning at the break of spring, when the roses have been dormant for months, will unleash the elements within the plant and its ability to utilize sun and water to begin a new season of growth and blooms. Pruning is important in removing broken, diseased or dead stems from the plant, and providing adequate air space for circulation in order to repel disease and remain healthy. Once the plant has flowered, prune again to remove fading and dead blooms and buds to make room for new ones.
With the proper care, you can easily enjoy the luscious look of roses in your yard or garden. Learn the basics and follow these maintenance steps and your yard will be the envy of your neighborhood
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About the Author:
Pat Sheriden is a Rose Gardening enthusiast. For more great information on Caring for Roses, Visit Rose Gardening.
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