Your Rose Garden Planting

Sometime during the year you will probably plant roses in your
rose garden. There are many opinions on how to do this but I
will tell you what has worked for me.

First let me distinguish planting rose into the rose garden that
are dormant plants compared with those grown in pots or
containers. 

Roses which are dormant and bare roots grow well but usually
don't bloom as long as those in the containers or pots. The
latter are usually growing and not dormant. If you are buying
dormant plants make sure that you are getting #1 grade. These
will give you a much better crop during the summer to your rose
garden.

Preparing The Soil

Pick an area that will get at least 5-6 hours of sunlight a day.
Sun is a very important part of the growth cycle of your rose
garden. 

The soil should be a good loam and can be mixed with some clay.
The loam should be down to a depth of at least 12-15 inches. Dig
the soil out for the plant so that it will fit the plant with no
damage to the roots and that the first bud spike will set about
an inch below the surface.

I would also suggest that at the bottom of the hole you use a
fork to loosen the dirt. 

Now The Planting

Before setting the plant into the hole in the rose garden, I
suggest that you mix some farm manure into the loosened dirt at
the bottom. Trim any damaged roots and then set it into the
hole. Now that the rose is set into the hole be sure that the
loam you put put around the plant is loose as well. Fill the
hole to about 2/3 - 3/4 and tap it down. Water the plant and the
dirt. Let the water settle then add the rest of the loam. Be
sure that the first bud spike is at least one inch below the
surface.

For dormant plants mound the soil over the plant so it will not
dry out. For plants that were in pots or containers there is no
need to mound the soil in the rose garden. It is fine to have a
few inches of mulch around the plant base as this contains the
moisture.

Watering

Roses should be watered about every 7 - 10 days and you need to
water the base of the plant. If you water the flower it is
easier for the plant to have disease infect it. Although this
presents as a diversion from orchids it is definitely in line
with our additional items we have added.

Planting Season

Planting can take place between mid October and mid May. You
should not plant or transplant after mid May until October. Good
growing in your rose garden.