Rose Gardening - Choosing the Variant, Location and Fertilization Strategy for Rose Gardens

Because they're hard to cultivate and maintain, roses have been subjected to a bad wrap for ages. If you're considering starting a rose garden, don't allow this rumor to get in your way. Although rose gardening is challenging, once you get it, it's really not so bad.

To start rose gardening you must first decide which specific rose you care to plant; and no, color isn't what I'm referring to. You need to decide between bare-root, container-grown, or pre-packaged roses. Bare-root roses are normally marketed during the winter and the beginning of spring. Once the frosts are over, the ground has warmed up and is finally workable. Pre-packaged roses happen to be bare-root roses sold in a container where the roots are secured for moisture retention; for example - sawdust. The container grown roses will be grown from the start. And guess what else? They're in containers. Budding or blooming, their availability happens in late March and early April.

With rose gardening, planting is the same as always. Most importantly, use a prime planting location that's rich with good, healthy soil. Container-grown or bare-root, the planting methods don't differ from that of any common shrub. Make sure your chosen spot gets a lot of sunlight, has good drainage, and won't overcrowd your roses. Prior to planting, remove all dead leaves as well as decayed shoots. Cut them off. Long roots with damage need trimming too. Bare-root roses need to be soaked in water for anywhere from 10 to 12 hours, in order for the roots to restore the necessary moisture before planting. Assure that the hole that you've dug allows for the roses' root growth. In addition, before you plant, water the soil. Consider using mulch or compost. Roses, like any other growing plant, enjoy the added nutrients.

Roses require the same care as other plants, plus a little more. One of rose gardening's most vital things to remember is that these flowers are heavy feeders, so they'll require several fertilizer applications. Start fertilizing in early spring and stop in early fall. Be careful to not over-fertilize (follow fertilizer instructions) and after each feeding, be sure to water. Roses need a lot of water. A good watering, two times a week should be sufficient. Pruning is a vital part of flower gardening. This increases the blooms and encourages strong and healthy plant growth. Different roses have different pruning instructions, so you may want to consider reading more about your type of rose to see what's recommended. In rose gardening, the three key things to remember are to water them, then water them, and did I say water them? Another important thing in rose gardening is the quantity of fertilizer and nutrients you'll be using, and the pruning that's needed for the control of the roses and their overall health. Although rose gardening is more time consuming and require more work, they're by far one of the most beautiful and unique plants, which makes them worth the extra effort.