How to Fertilize Roses During the Growing Season

      It’s spring. You’re just getting outside, taking in a deep breath of that fresh air. You’re looking at all your roses, and becoming excited for the growing season ahead. You can see buds full of the season’s promise beginning to swell as the roses wake up to the longer days and warmer temperature. They’re bursting with new life, along with everything around them. And to continue that abundance of new growth your roses will need nutrients to grow vigorously throughout the summer, both to produce those stunning blooms you’ve been waiting for, and to build a better, hardier root system. So, what do they need in order to do that?

     For the first spring fertilizing, wait until there is 4-6 inches of new growth before applying the fertilizer. This fertilizer should be high in nitrogen, as it will encourage rapid, healthy growth. However, if your roses are not yet established plants, a fertilizer higher in phosphorous is better for them, as it will help your young plants grow a stronger root system.

     As the season continues and the first burst of spring is past, use a balanced fertilizer to maintain an overall healthy plant. This means your fertilizer should have equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Fertilizer should be applied every 2-3 weeks during the growing season, ensuring the plants have a steady supply of nutrients.

      For added health and vigor, use an Epsom salt spray every two weeks. Simply dissolve 1 tablespoon per gallon of water and mist the plants.

     Producing those show-stopping blooms takes a lot out of a plant, unless they are fed properly. So, to ensure that your rose can continue to wow all season long, give them a fertilizer that’s high in phosphorous. This will ensure your rose is able to maintain its health and give you the best show ever.

      As summer nears its end, your roses will prepare to go into dormancy for the winter. Now, it is time for their last feeding. Use a nitrogen-free fertilizer for this, as nitrogen will encourage new and unwelcome growth that could be easily damaged by cold weather and frosts; leading to a plant that is more susceptible to disease and pests. Roses should receive this last feeding around a month or month and a half before the average first frost date for your area.

   By giving your roses what they need when they need it, you’ll be rewarded with robust, vigorous plants that produce abundantly for years to come.