It's also important to note that organic fertilization requires reasonably warm soil temperatures for the bacteria to do their part, so early spring fertilizing often starts with chemicals. Second, water heavily after you have fertilized. Some chemical fertilizers are available in water soluble form, which saves this step. Third, keep your eyes open. This is a good time to look closely at your bush as the hose runs to soak the fertilizer in.
Early action can head off many problems before they get out of hand.
Back to Top Fertilizing when planting roses When you plant a rose, you have a one-time opportunity to make the rose's life much happier. If you're planting early in the season, and you want the rose to get started growing right away, consider adding a little starter-fertilizer to the backfilled soil also, then some agricultural Vitamin B1 to help the newly planted rose get over any transplant shock and stimulate more root growth. If you're planting at the end of the season, it would be best to probably stick just to the phosphorous to avoid stimulating new growth which would just die in the winter anyway. Back to Top Mulch Mulching reduces weeds, keeps water from evaporating quickly, and is part of the plan for a good rosebed. Selecting mulch which adds nutrients as well can provide further benefit.