When To Fertilize Roses: Your Guide To Thriving Blooms!

In many of my articles, I crown the rose as the king of all flowers, especially in terms of popularity and overall significance. I mean…who doesn’t like roses?

If you’re trying to grow roses, whether it’s for that special Valentine’s Day date you’ve got planned or simply to add a little extra beauty to your garden, and you’re feeling a bit puzzled about the whole fertilizing thing, don’t stress! I’ve got you covered!

Here’s your complete guide to fertilizing roses for thriving blooms!

Why Is Fertilizing Roses Essential?

As some of you who’ve been in the gardening game for some time might know, roses are heavy feeders and require nutrient-dense soil to grow and bloom to their fullest potential.

Sure, those middle school projects where you grow tiny roses in small pots with basic garden soil might lead you to believe roses don’t require much care. But, trust me, full-sized roses with dense shrubs need all the nutrients they can get to thrive and bloom vigorously.

When To Fertilize Roses Throughout The Year?

Roses thrive best when fertilized early in spring, especially as new growth begins to appear. A good rule of thumb is to apply fertilizer as soon as you notice fresh leaves sprouting on your rose bushes.

But, for optimal results, here’s what I usually do:

I fertilize once in early May to give my roses a strong start to the growing season and promote abundant summer blooms. I follow up with another application in late June or early July to ensure the plant has the nutrients it need to stay healthy and vibrant through the summer.

While the exact timing may vary based on your region’s climate, it’s essential to avoid fertilizing too late in the season. Fertilizing just before winter can encourage tender new growth that may be damaged by frost and freezing temperatures.

3 Best Fertilizers For Roses

A Balanced Fertilizer

A balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 is a good choice for most rose varieties out there.

Such fertilizers don’t aim to resolve any particular nutrient deficiencies but work well for increasing the overall nutrient density of the soil, benefiting roses in a generally positive way.

A balanced fertilizer blend will provide the necessary nutrients needed for a strong root system, healthy foliage, and big, robust blooms.

Bone Meal

Bone meal is a type of fertilizer made by grinding baked animal bones into a fine powder. It’s naturally high in phosphorus, meaning it positively affects root development and flowering.

The good thing about bone meal is that it’s a slow-release fertilizer, which allows it to provide a consistent source of phosphorus, strengthening roots and making the entire rose bush healthier over time.

Fish Emulsion

Fish emulsion works incredibly well for roses because it’s an excellent source of multiple nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. It’s a well-balanced fertilizing option that’s also organic and can help improve soil structure significantly.

If you’re noticing weak, leggy, and discolored foliage in your rose plants, fish emulsion can work well for fixing these issues since it’s rich in readily available nitrogen.

Common Fertilizing Mistakes To Avoid With Roses

Many beginners make the mistake of thinking more fertilizer will get them better, faster plant growth. In reality, overfertilizing will only burn the roots and do more harm than good.
Avoid doing your own rocket science when applying fertilizer. The fertilizer manufacturer adds application instructions on the back of the package for a reason. Follow them!
Applying fertilizer too late in the season when winter is about to emerge will definitely result in some growth. However, that new growth will quickly be damaged by the incoming frost and cold.
Apart from extreme cold, you also want to avoid fertilizing your roses in extreme heat as the fertilizer will likely lose some of its effectiveness and your rose bush can get stressed.
If your rose bush is newly planted and still relatively young, instead of fertilizing it with a balanced blend, use a fertilizer that has a slightly higher nitrogen content as it can encourage better root development and spreading.

Conclusion

Fertilizing roses is actually pretty simple and straightforward. All you need is a basic understanding of fertilizers, along with knowing how and when to apply them.

The “how” is easy, just follow the instructions on the back of the fertilizer package. As for the “when”, that’s where you can have a little fun experimenting to figure out the best times to fertilize based on your region and climate.