Roses are my favorite flowers and I love them in all colors, shapes and sizes. Growing roses; however, can be a daunting task because rose bushes need the proper soil and nutrients to thrive. It is essential that you use a good rose fertilizer to feed your rose bushes each season. Rose fertilizers should contain all of the nutrients needed to keep the bushes healthy and growing without forcing growth. Some fertilizers for roses will be too harsh and burn the roots; therefore, a slow release rose fertilizer is best. To find the best rose fertilizer for you, try one of these brands that we have had luck with in the past.
Carefree Bud-N-Flower Booster for roses from Cottage Farms is an excellent rose fertilizer and plant food formulated especially for roses. This rose fertilizer works well with garden roses as well as patio and indoor plants. The pre-measured packets are water-soluble (one packet to one gallon of water) so application is quick and simple. Full of nutrients and nitrogen, but free of chlorine and sodium, this rose fertilizer will give you beautiful and colorful blooms all season. Fifty packets costs $14.99 and makes 50 gallons of fertilizer.
I have always liked Pennington products and I love Pennington Rose Food for my roses. It is specially designed just for roses and promotes healthy root and plant growth while providing nutrients for large, beautiful rose blooms. The 12-6-8 formula lasts for up to four months between applications. A twenty-pound bag costs about $15 and should last for the entire season.
As I have said before, I am not the best green thumb so I need things simple and easy. Jobe’s Rose Fertilizer Spikes (9-12-9) are great for beginners or gardeners like me who need that pre-measured, easy fertilizer. These spikes are so easy and simple to use – – simply stick them in the ground near the rush bushes and that is it. They will feed and fertilize your roses for up to sixty days. A pack of 10 spikes cost $5.49 from Ace Hardware online.
I like products that do several things at one time so Bayer All-In-One Rose & Flower Care Concentrate is one of my favorite fertilizers for roses. This rose fertilizer not only feeds rose bushes for gorgeous roses all season but it protects against insects and disease. It is simple to use – – just mix the concentrate with water and pour at the bases of your rose bushes – – no spraying required. Must be applied every six weeks during the growing season to keep disease and insects away from your bushes and to keep blooms in top condition.
If you desire an organic rose food and are proficient enough to mix your own rose fertilizer, you may want to try this Rose Tonic published in Rose Magazine online. Mark Whitlaw uses this recipe twice a year immediately after spring and fall pruning to keep his roses in top shape. The ingredients are readily available and easy to combine. This is a wonderful rose food if you are searching for an organic rose fertilizer for your rose garden.
