A Few Tips To Get Your Rose Garden Started
A Few Tips To Get Your Rose Garden Started
Roses are some of the most popular and colorful shrubs grown in gardens. Roses are beautiful, but don't be intimidated, because they are actually easier to care for than you might think. Caring for and growing roses involves planting, watering, fertilizing, and pruning.
Simply put, with the correct amount of water and sunlight, and a little bit of grooming, your roses should thrive. If you are new to growing roses, here are some tips for ultimate success.
Simply put, with the correct amount of water and sunlight, and a little bit of grooming, your roses should thrive. If you are new to growing roses, here are some tips for ultimate success.
Location
Choose a sunny location with good drainage. That means if you have clay or heavy soil, add some compost or soil amendment to improve the texture and drainage. Roses don’t like wet feet!
Choosing A Rose
There are many types of roses. Floribunda, Hybrid Tea, Grandiflora, Climber, Miniature, and Shrub Rose to name a few. The key is selecting a few well-chosen varieties instead of a “one-of-each” strategy. Consider planting similar colors, or contrasting colors, to make a beautiful bouquet. How about a deep purple next to a yellow rose like ‘Julia Child’?
When To Plant
Roses can be planted many months of the year in Sacramento. Planting them during their dormant bareroot season in winter, typically allows for the best
selection at the best prices. Another excellent time for planting is spring or fall. This allows the best weather and soil temperature for the plants to acclimate to their new surroundings.
selection at the best prices. Another excellent time for planting is spring or fall. This allows the best weather and soil temperature for the plants to acclimate to their new surroundings.
Planting
We recommend spacing roses about three feet apart. Soil drainage is key, as is pH balance. Roses prefer a near-neutral pH range of 5.5-7.0. A pH of 6.5 is just about right for most home gardens (slightly acidic to neutral). We like E.B. Stone™ Organics Rose & Flower Planting Mix which has all the right ingredients to get roses off to a good start. Make sure the hole is twice as wide and deep enough, so the crown of the plant is ground level with the native soil.
Care
For impressive blooms, regular fertilizing with an organic fertilizer is an important step. We recommend the E.B. Stone™ Organics Rose & Flower Food applied as the label suggests, or Fish Emulsion applied to the foliage, as well as the roots.
Pests & Diseases
Many of the new rose varieties are more disease resistant. Roses can be susceptible to Blackspot Fungus and Powdery Mildew, especially in the summer with warm temperatures if humidity is present. To discourage these problems, we recommend that you do not water your roses at night. Drip emitters vs. a spray sprinkler will also help mitigate diseases because the water will go straight to the roots instead of the leaves. Also, watch out for pests like aphids and spider mites. Both can be treated easily with Neem Oil or Insecticidal Soap. For an organic approach to aphids, try Lacewings and Ladybugs.
