As temperatures rise, roses are set to bloom gloriously in late May. However, this is only possible if they are properly fed. The sunshine can deplete essential nutrients from the soil, resulting in fewer and poorer quality rose buds.
Nell Foster, a gardening expert from Joyus Garden, has shared her top tips for ensuring rose bushes produce big, lush flowers this season. According to Nell, “You need to feed annuals and roses two or three times during summer. They flower profusely and need the nourishment to keep them flowering.”
There is no need to resort to harsh chemicals or expensive concoctions to boost blooms. Nell suggests a simple organic blend to keep rose bushes vibrant. She proposes using alfalfa meal, a mild fertilizer made from alfalfa plants. This provides roses with the nitrogen necessary for robust leaves and stems that can support larger flowers. The feed also includes natural minerals that can invigorate growth for a more vibrant floral display.
Chicken manure is another secret weapon. It provides not only nitrogen but also phosphorus for improved flower quality and hue, as well as potassium to encourage more flowers. It is important to purchase well-aged or well-composted manure, as fresh natural fertilizers are too potent and can scorch rose roots. This simple fertilizer naturally enhances growth by providing a good mix of nutrients and improving root water retention to prevent roses from drying out.
How to Use Organic Fertilizer for Roses
To use this organic fertilizer, simply purchase the ingredients from your local garden center and blend them together. You will need about 120g of the mixture per rose bush. Apply a thin layer around the roses, but avoid letting the mixture touch the stem or any part of the plant. After application, give the roses a deep watering to help dissolve the nutrients into the soil.
Apply the fertilizer once every two months (roughly every eight weeks) from late spring to late summer. This will ensure bigger and more vibrant rose blooms throughout the flowering season.
