Feed roses now to reap rewards later

Roses need soil rich in organic matter – which pretty much means anything that rots.

If you mulched early in winter, it has probably rotted down by now, and roses will need more than that to keep them flowering for the next few months. If you’ve been making compost, now is the time to empty bin. If you haven’t, there are plenty of other possibilities. Animal manures are excellent but full of weeds if you collect them straight from the paddock. Bagged sheep pellets are a good option.

Seaweed is a gift from the gods. Spread it out and hose it down to remove the salt before applying as mulch.

If you can’t commune with nature right now, there is always commercial bagged rose fertiliser. Or you can be adventurous and try the magic recipe given to me by an elderly rose nurseryman many years ago.

If you forgot to spray with copper and horticultural oil in winter, do it now.

ROSE FERTILISER RECIPE

You can buy these ingredients at garden centres or big department stores: 3kg sulphate of ammonia 1kg iron sulphate 2.5kg potash 1kg dried blood 1kg Epsom salts Mix it all up in awheelbarrowand give each rose about 2 tablespoons forked in and watered around the drip line. Very large bushes and climbers might need more. If you have some left over, it will store well if you keep it in a dry place, and you will need to feed the roses again in December.

As the weather becomes warmer it’s a good idea to plant nectar-rich plants among the roses to attract good insects like ladybirds and hover fly, which feed on aphids and other nasties.