Preparing Garden Soil for Growing Roses

Roses have a reputation as fussy, fragile plants, that require lots of attention and special care. While some hybrids can be maddeningly susceptible to insect and fungal damage, many types of roses are not difficult and can be grown and enjoyed by even the most inexperienced gardener. Some, like shrub roses and rugosas, are hardy and resilient where the biggest challenge will be to keep them pruned. However, like any plant, roses do best under specific growing conditions. Proper soil preparation will go a long way toward improving their performance. It can take some time and effort but getting your roses started off in well-prepared soil will help them establish more quickly, grow healthy, and have fewer ​problems down the line.

Ideal pH

The pH is a measurement of the relative acidity or alkalinity of the soil. The pH will affect how well your roses can access nutrients in the soil, so it's worth paying attention to it. If the pH is way off, it won't matter how much you pamper your roses, they will still be stressed. Luckily, roses prefer a soil pH close to the typical level for ordinary garden soil, which is slightly acidic to neutral (6.0 to 7.0). If your soil lies outside that range, as indicated by a soil test, it is easiest to amend the soil before planting, but you can make adjustments afterward. If your soil is extremely alkaline or acidic, you might want to consider replacing it or growing your roses in containers, because adjusting soil pH is not a one-time fix—it requires periodic testing and adjustment.

Texture

Roses need a soil that drains well but holds moisture long enough for the roots to absorb it. A loam soil is ideal—too much clay and the roots can become waterlogged, but a sandy soil will drain before the roots can get a good drink.

If you are not starting out with loose, loamy soil, you will need to do some amending. To begin, remove any large rocks and stones from the planting site. If you have dense clay soil, don't be tempted to add sand to loosen it up—this is a common mistake that creates a cement-like substance. The key ingredient in making poor soil more friable is organic matter in the form of compost, composted manure, or leaf mold. Organic matter will aid in both water retention and drainage and it loosens the soil texture as it decomposes. It is an excellent amendment for soils that have too much clay as well as those that have too much sand.

Enriching the Soil

Many gardeners choose to add fertilizers or special rose foods to the soil at planting time. It's impossible to give specific guidelines on how to enrich the soil for roses—or any plant—because soils vary so greatly. You can have your soil tested or you can take your cue from plants growing nearby. If the other plants in the area are lush, green, and free-flowering, your soil is probably in good shape. However, if they are continually stressed, yellowing, or afflicted with problems, you probably need to add some nutrients to the soil. Rather than getting caught in a cycle of fertilizer dependency, feed the soil with mineral amendments and let the soil feed the plants. This, combined with organic compost or other organic materials mixed in, largely eliminates the need for constant fertilizing. This approach provides a more stable growing environment for the plants and is less work for you.

It's usually a good idea to add some phosphorous to poor soils, which helps plants develop strong roots and quickly become well established. Pure phosphorus, or organic phosphorus in the form of bonemeal, is widely available. Mix about 1/2 to 1 cup per bush throughout the soil before planting. Some gardeners like to add kelp or soy meal for added nitrogen, but if you have added organic matter you probably have enough nitrogen for now.

Epsom salts are also popular with many growers. The salts add sulfur and magnesium, two elements crucial to healthy plant growth. You can either mix 1/2 cup into the soil or dissolve the 1/2 cup of salts in water and sprinkle around the rose bush. Use caution around the leaves. Any type of salt can burn leaves if used on hot, sunny days.

Mulch

Once you have the perfect soil for your rose bush and it is settled into the planting hole, add a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch to the surface of the soil around the plant. Mulch will suppress weeds, keep the roots cool, and help the soil retain moisture. Opt for an organic mulch that will slowly break down and continue to feed the soil and improve the texture. Good choices include shredded bark, leaf mold, and good compost.

Spread the mulch all around the root zone of the rose bush, but keep it 2 to 3 inches away from the stem. Piling mulch against the stem can lead to rotting and can provide cover for gnawing rodents and insect pests.