How to Fertilize Roses Year Round

For strong, healthy roses, a year round program of fertilization is essential. Roses require more feeding than most garden plants, yet their fertilizer needs must be adjusted seasonally to ensure that plants harden off or adequately prepare for winter. Winter, spring, summer or fall, here's what you need to know about fertilizing roses year round.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Roses
• Fertilizers, including balanced 10-10-10, rose fertilizer, and one with higher nitrogren, such as 5-10-5
• Water

1. Start your roses off right each spring with an organic rose fertilizer. The difference between organic and synthetic fertilizers is the difference between building your soil or giving the plant a quick fix. Organics build up the soil, which in turn builds up the plant. Synethics provide a quick shot of nutrients to the plant but do nothing to aid the soil long-term. Synthetic fertilizers may also attract rose pests, such as thrips, that love the quick gush of nitrogen into the plant stems. Whatever you choose, in spring be sure to use a good quality fertlizer that includes cottonseed meal.

2. For lush summer growth and bloom, use a fertilizer high in nitrogen, but read again the cautions above. Fertilize roses every thirty to sixty days during peak season. Roses are heavy feeders, and benefit from frequent applications of fertilizer.

3. As the cooler temperatures of fall descend on the garden, begin your fall rose garden preparations. Trim or deadhead roses. Feed roses using a lower-nitrogen fertlizer. You must begin to help harden off the rose for winter. A fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 ratio is good for basic rose care.

4. During winter, let the rose remain dormant and do not fertilize roses. Mulch, check plants for frost or winter wind damage, and dream of beautiful roses next spring.

Resources

• Rose Magazine provides a recipe for rose fertilizer.