When I started gardening, I found planting rose to be particularly challenging as they are known to have a fussy reputation. I also feel that they are fragile plants and need plenty of attention along with special care. Certain hybrids are frustratingly susceptible to fungal and insect damage. Over the years I’ve also realized that there are also certain types of roses that are not very difficult to grow and as an inexperienced gardener I had an enjoyable experience. Certain roses like Rugosa’s and shrub roses are resilient and real hardies however it is a challenge to prune them. But like all plants roses also grow well under certain growing conditions. And there’s one thing that I learned is preparing your soil will take you a very long way and improve the performance of these plants. It will definitely take a certain amount of effort and time to growing healthy plants with very few issues.
Soil enrichment
I know of many gardeners that prefer to add certain rose foods or fertilizers to the soil while planting the roses. It is not possible to offer a specific guideline on the best way to enrich your soil, be it for roses or any other plants, this is only because soils vary a lot. I do not prefer getting caught up in a cycle of fertilizing the soil. It is better to give the soil mineral amendments allowing the plants to feed off it. You can combine the organic compost with your soil so that you don’t have to get caught up in a cycle of constant fertilizing. This is a more stable approach that offers a healthy growing environment and reduces your work.
I always recommend adding phosphorus as this helps the plants to develop stronger roots and become established quickly. Organic phosphorus is found in bone meals and is easily available. All you need to do is add about 1 cup for every bush before you begin planting.
Texture
Roses require soils that drain out well and do not hold a lot of moisture, it should be just sufficient. In such cases loam soil is very helpful. If the soil has extra clay the roots could become waterlogged however if the soil is sandy, it will drain out quickly not allowing the roots to drink. So, if you’re planning to start off with any other soil apart from loamy soil, I suggest you consider changing it. Make sure that you discard stones and rocks from the place you’re planning to plant your roses. And if you notice that the soil is dense clay then do not try and add sand, many have made this mistake, resulting in a substance that seems more cement-like.
If the soil you currently utilizing is not rich enough and you need to work on it before you plant your roses there are certain ingredients that you could consider, it will definitely make the poor soil organically rich. Try and utilize plenty of organic materials that include; leaf mold, composted manure, and compost itself. Always remember that organic materials will aid retention of water as well as drainage. It will also loosen up the texture of the soil as it begins to decompose. It is a great solution for soils with clay and the ones with sand.
I do hope this article has given you more clarity on the best compost that you can use for planting your roses. That’s all for now, thanks for stopping by.