What is the best time to fertilize roses

fertilizing the soil

(Image credit: Valeriy_G)

Roses need fertilizer, but fertilizing roses does not need to be complicated. There is a simple timetable for feeding roses. Keep reading to learn more about when to fertilize roses.

When to Fertilize Roses

I perform my first feeding around mid to late spring-- the weather patterns really dictate the first feeding of roses.

If there has been a string of good, warm days and steady night temps in the upper 40's, (8 C.), it is safe to start feeding the roses and watering them in well with either my choice of chemical dry mix (granular rose bush food) rose food or one of my choices of organic mix rose food.

Organic rose foods tend to do better once the soil has warmed up a bit.

Approximately a week after the first spring feeding, I will give each of my rosebushes some Epsom salts and some kelp meal. Whatever I use to feed the rose bushes for their first feeding of the season is then alternated with another of those rose foods or fertilizers on my list for the next dry mix (granular) feeding.

That next dry mix feeding is around earl

when should you start to feed roses