Learn Rose Gardening: Getting Started

Gardening and Roses Go Together Beautifully

Wishing for a rose garden? Learn rose gardening basics right here!

For centuries, poets and lovers alike have sung the praises of rose gardens, and now you too have decided to proclaim your love for roses by planting a rose bush in your garden.

But maybe you’re a little afraid to learn rose gardening because you have heard the names of strange-sounding diseases that afflict rose bushes, and all the complicated pruning methods... gardening and roses all sounds so complicated!

Fear not.

Planting a rose bush in your rose garden is much easier than you imagine. Follow these simple guidelines to learn rose gardening and you'll plant a rose bush that will lend unmistakable beauty to your garden.

While you’re waiting for spring to arrive, it's a good idea to start thinking about what kind of rose bush you’d like to plant in your garden. There are literally thousands of varieties, and the choices can seem overwhelming.

Try to pick a rose bush that will thrive in your particular climate. Visit your local nursery to see what kinds of roses they have available. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Your local nursery is a great resource for learning about plants, and not just for purchasing them.

Also, keep an eye out for rose bushes that catch your eye in your very own neighborhood. Does a neighbor grow a rose bush that you’ve always admired? Ask what type or variety of rose it is.

You will also want to ask what kind of care it requires. If that type of rose garden demands frequent attention or is prone to disease, you'll want to know it ahead of time. Learn more about the different types of roses...

Once you’ve chosen a rose bush that you think will suit your garden nicely, make sure you select and prepare a good location for your rose garden.

Try to do this even before you go out and buy the rose bush. Choose a place that meets these requirements:

• Rose garden will receive at least six hours of sunlight every day.
• Roses will have good air circulation.
• The soil where the roses are planted receives good drainage and is relatively fertile.

Another thing you need to know as you learn rose gardening is when to plant your new rose bushes.

Most bare-root rose bushes should be planted in late winter. I know that surprised me when I found out... I always associate planting season with the spring!

If you purchase roses grown in a container, you will want to plan to plant in early spring, however. Always avoid summer planting, because the stress of planting during hot weather is often too much for a new plant.

If you must plant in the summer, be prepared to water your new rose bush every 1 to 2 days.

The next things you need to learn rose gardening is how to do it! You’ve chosen a good location and now you’re ready to prepare the bed. So, here goes...

Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the size of your rose bush’s container. Rose bushes have large, extensive root systems. Your rose bush will have an easier time putting down roots and extending its roots if you’ve dug a large hole for it in the rose garden.

Put the soil that you dig out into a wheelbarrow, and mix equal parts compost and topsoil into the soil. Return part of this soil mixture into the hole. You may also want to add a cup of phosphate fertilizer into the hole.

If you’ve purchased bare-root roses, it’s a good idea to soak them for a few hours before planting. After they have soaked for at least two hours, use sharp pruning shears to cut off the tip of the roots. Now you are ready to plant.

Many rose bushes come with tags with instructions on how to plant them. Follow these by all means if they're available.

But if not, a general rule of thumb is to shape a mound at the bottom of the hole and place the bare-root rose bush over the mound, smoothing the roots over the mound.

If the roots seem to fan out flatly, or if the ends of the roots seem to curve upward, it is not necessary to form a mound. Just lay the rootstock gently into the hole, and begin to cover the roots with the soil medium.

Once the hole is filled about 2/3 of the way, water the rose bush at root level and let it drain. Once it has drained, fill the rest of the hole with water. Tap down the soil gently to get rid of any air bubbles.

Finally, when you learn rose gardening, you need to understand what the ongoing care of your roses is.

Most newly planted rose bushes require one inch of water a week, but you may need to water more, depending on your climate.

Learn to read the signs of stress in the roses in your rose garden. If the leaves of seem to droop, your roses probably need more water. If the leaves become yellow and start to drop off, you may be over watering, so you'll want to cut back.

To continue to learn rose gardening, including more about all of the aspects of gardening and roses, just follow the rose garden links at the top of the page.

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