Marietta Daisies Garden Club

How to Properly Plant and Care for Roses

Planting roses correctly from the start sets the foundation for strong roots, healthy growth, and abundant blooms.

Follow these steps to give your roses the best chance to thrive.

Planting Your Roses

Begin by digging a planting hole that is at least two feet wide and the same depth as the container your rose came in. This allows the roots plenty of room to spread and establish.

Next, prepare your soil by mixing:

• Native soil from the hole

• Equal parts soil conditioner

• Complete Landscape Mix (CLM)

Place a few inches of this blended soil at the bottom of the hole.

Carefully remove the rose from its container and gently loosen the roots with your fingers. Set the plant in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball sits about 1 inch above ground level.

Backfill the hole with your soil mixture, lightly tamping as you go to remove air pockets. Finish by watering thoroughly and adding mulch:

• 1 inch of hardwood mulch or

• 2 inches of pine straw

Important Note: If your rose is grafted, make sure the graft union (the noticeable bulge at the base of the plant) remains above the soil line and is never buried.

Fertilizing for Maximum Blooms

Roses are heavy feeders and benefit from a consistent fertilization schedule during the growing season.

Begin in late March:

• Apply Mills Magic Granular Fertilizer, worked into the soil around the base

• 2 weeks later: Apply Mills Magic Liquid Feed

• 4 weeks later: Repeat Mills Magic Liquid Feed

• 6 weeks later: Apply Mills Magic Granular again

Continue this alternating cycle throughout the growing season until September 15.

Watering Requirements

Healthy roses require approximately 10+ gallons of water per week during the growing season.

You can water using:

• Drip irrigation

• Soaker hoses

• Hand watering

• Overhead irrigation (less ideal)

For best root development, water deeply but less frequently. A good target is:

• 3–4 gallons per plant, 3 times per week

If using drip irrigation or soaker hoses, run systems for several hours to ensure deep watering.

If hand watering, time how long it takes to fill a 5-gallon bucket about two-thirds full, this helps establish a consistent watering routine.

Tip: Avoid wetting the foliage whenever possible. Overhead watering can encourage fungal disease. If used, water early in the morning (around 7:00 a.m.) so leaves dry quickly as the sun rises.

Preventing Fungal Disease

Roses are especially vulnerable to fungal diseases during warm, humid months particularly when nighttime temperatures stay above 70°F.

Prevention is key:

• Avoid evening watering

• Keep foliage dry

• Begin preventive care in early April (don’t wait for symptoms)

Preventative Spray Program

Apply a preventive spray every 7 to 10 days during the growing season.

Anti-Fungal Spray Recipe:

• 1 gallon pump sprayer

• 1 gallon water

• 1/3 teaspoon Propiconazole

• 1 tablespoon Mancozeb

• 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid

Mix thoroughly before use and shake occasionally during application. Spray evenly over foliage, covering both upper and lower leaf surfaces.

With proper planting, consistent feeding, and good watering practices, your roses will reward you with vigorous growth and beautiful, continuous blooms throughout the season.