| I don't really know how to plant roses but plan to start a rose garden this year. Our natural soil condition is black clay. I covered the new garden area with topsoil. We've tilled the soil and know we need to add iron. How do we plant roses and how should I maintain them? Annual rainfall in our area has been less than 20 inches during past several years, and temperatures in the summer reach 90 - 105F. It doesn't freeze in the winter. |
| Your extension agent or rosarian can answer that question better. They need moisture year round, and drip irrigation is usually the easiest method. Though you do spend more initially, irrigation saves time and water in the long run. Use mulch to keep moisture from evaporating from the soil. As your roses put on new growth, provide them with fertilizer. If you had your soil tested, the results should include fertilizer recommendations. If not, use a 12-12-12 or 10-20-10 analysis fertilizer. There are fertilizers specially formulated for roses, and you're safe using those, too. That should get you started. You'll need to learn how to prune roses, too, as well as identify any pest or disease problems that crop up. I recommend that you purchase a book on growing roses, so you can do your best to keep these beautiful flowers looking their best, and to protect this investment you're making in your landscape. Your rosarian will probably have some recommendations for you. I can offer one title that NGA has copublished: Roses For Dummies, by Lance Walheim. Happy Gardening! Your extension agent or rosarian can answer that question better. They need moisture year round, and drip irrigation is usually the easiest method. Though you do spend more initially, irrigation saves time and water in the long run. Use mulch to keep moisture from evaporating from the soil. As your roses put on new growth, provide them with fertilizer. If you had your soil tested, the results should include fertilizer recommendations. If not, use a 12-12-12 or 10-20-10 analysis fertilizer. There are fertilizers specially formulated for roses, and you're safe using those, too. That should get you started. You'll need to learn how to prune roses, too, as well as identify any pest or disease problems that crop up. I recommend that you purchase a book on growing roses, so you can do your best to keep these beautiful flowers looking their best, and to protect this investment you're making in your landscape. Your rosarian will probably have some recommendations for you. I can offer one title that NGA has copublished: Roses For Dummies, by Lance Walheim. Happy Gardening! |
