Roses are robust plants that can thrive and blossom without much fuss. That said, if you’re aiming for the most impressive blooms and healthiest plants, roses require more maintenance than your average flowering shrub – especially in spring.
Gardening experts at Peter Beales Garden Centre have shared essential tips for rose care in spring, highlighting the importance of fertilising once winter is over.
Whether using organic methods or chemical fertilisers, it’s simple to provide roses with the necessary nutrients.
It’s crucial to choose a top-notch rose feeder with an appropriate balance of nutrients and apply it consistently.
They advised: “As your established roses come out of their dormant state they will spring into life with beautiful blooms if you apply a good fertiliser like Fish, Blood and Bone, or Vitax Q4.
“This feed will give your roses an extra boost of essential trace elements and nutrients, which encourages top growth and beautiful blooms.”
Before applying fertiliser, make sure you’ve put on your gloves, then clear away any weeds, old leaves, and debris from around your rose bushes using a hand fork.
Then, sprinkle the advised amount of fertiliser around the base of your plant, following the package directions.
Disperse the fertiliser evenly around the rose’s base, matching the span of its canopy.
Afterwards, lightly work the rose food into the soil surrounding the plant with the fork.
If your garden’s looking parched, it’s time to quench your rose’s thirst. But remember, after giving your rose a good feed, don’t skip out on piling up the mulch.
Throwing down a protective blanket around your roses roots “isn’t just busy work it’s garden gold”.
The green-thumbed gurus over at David Austin explained that mulching “helps your roses to retain moisture, suppresses weeds and provides valuable nutrients for your roses as they grow”.
Roses should have previously been mulched in the autumn period to prepare them for winter.
