A Beginner's Guide to Growing Roses

by Jenna Marshall

Some people avoid growing roses because they are know for being hard to grow. True, they have the reputation for being difficult, delicate and rather time-consuming to grow. However, if you take the time to learn about what your they need, they will reward you with spectacular displays.

PLANNING

The first step in planning is to find your location. It needs to be well lit in the morning, and have at least 6 hours of sunlight. It also needs to be an area with good circulation. Roses do not grow well in tight spots because it can encourage fungal diseases to grow.

Once you have your location, make sure your soil is right. The pH needs to be between 5.5 and 7.0. It also needs to be well-draining soil.

SELECTING YOUR PLANT

There are literally hundreds of varieties to choose from. It can be a daunting task to narrow it down. If you want long-stemmed roses, hybrid teas are a great choice. If you want your garden to bloom throughout the season, try floribundas, shrubs or climbing varieties.

When choosing your roses, bear in mind your climate. Pick one that is well-suited for your area. A good way to determine this is to visit your local nurseries and ask them. They usually stock plenty of varieties that thrive in your area, and will make it through your winters.

Try to find plants that are not grafted if possible. Grafted roses are where one type of rose is grafted onto another type of root stock. This means that if the grafted sections die out, you will end up with a different type of rose growing from the roots. Bare root roses are less expensive, but they are more difficult to grow if you are inexperienced.

PLANTING

Spring planting is best for roses. You should dig a hole about 2 - 2 1/2 time the size of the root ball. Add some good organic matter and organic rose food in the hole. Remove the plant from the container and put it in the hole. Carefully pack the soil (this should be well-amended soil) on top of the root ball. For more information on getting the perfect soil, click here.

The top of the root ball should be at ground level. If using bare root plants, gently pack the soil around the roots following the same guidelines. After planting, water well to help the plant get established.

Make sure you give your plants some room to grow. Follow the guidelines on the plant's tag for specific instructions. As a rule of thumb, climbing varieties should be 8-12 feet apart. Miniature roses can be 12-15 inches apart.

WATERING

While your roses are still adjusting to their new home, be sure to water them often. This should be about the first 3-4 weeks. When the first couple of inches are dry, you should water. After 4 weeks, you can start deep watering, or soaking, every couple of weeks, and water as needed in between. The number of times you should water will depend on your environment, of course. The soil should be damp, not drenched.

Remember to water the soil, not the plant. Watering the plant and its foliage can encourage fungal diseases.

MULCHING

Mulching will keep you maintenance down and moisture in. 3-4 inches of a good organic mulch will keep weeds down, and reduce the amount of watering needed. Wood chips or shavings, pine needles or grass clippings are good choices.

FEEDING

Roses should be fertilized lightly and often. Once a month during the growing season is a good rule of thumb. I would recommend a high phosphorus organic blend. Organic fertilizers do not burn the roots or add toxins to the soil. These are just as effective as their non-organic counterparts.