How to Prepare Soil for Planting Roses

Roses need full sunshine all day long or 6 hrs direct sun daily from spring through fall-morning sun is very essential to the rose. Part afternoon is ok. Rose plants also need air circulation and movement to keep them dry and discourage disease and insects.

Drainage:
Drainage is very important to the rose, if you don't have good drainage there are alternatives. Tiles or pipes installed under the rose bed can solve this issue. The pipes should be slanted towards your ditch or sewer system. You also might want to put mesh over holes to prevent clogging of debris and dirt.

Alternatives:
A raised bed in a moist climate would be an easier solution, built 16-20 inches high. The beds can be constructed of railroad ties, bricks stone all found at your local home improvement store. Fill the planters with loamy soil that roses prefer. A high humus content to a depth of at least 2 ft.

5 parts (by volume) loamy soil
4 parts organic matter, such as compost or leaf mold, dehydrated cow manure, peat moss, or shredded bark (all available from your local garden center)
1 part builders sand

Add 3-4 pounds of super phosphate per 100 square feet of soil surface for stronger root development.

Planting Rose Bushes individually:
If you have good soil dig holes 16-20 inches wide and 14-18 inches deep. Work organic matter and sand into the soil you have excavated. Prepare soil 3-6 months ahead of time.

Poor Soil:
If you have extremely poor soil remove all soil to a depth of 16-20 inches and replace with a good mixture of loam, sand, and organic matter in the proportions given.

Acid Soil:
Roses like slightly acid soil with a ph of 6.0-6.5. If you suspect your soil is alkaline, make a soil test. You can make it more acidic by working agriculture sulphur into the soil. How much you should add depends on the texture of your soil. To lower your soil ph 100 square feet of soil by 1 point (from 7.5 to 6.5) apply light sandy loam, apply 1 pound of sulphur, if you have medium weight loam, apply 1 ½ pounds, if you have clay loam apply 2 pounds of sulphur.

If your area has soil born disease. See your professional pest control experts for professional advice.