Roses: soil preparation
Roses require attention and special care. Some hybrids may be susceptible to insect and fungal attack, but many are hardy and resistant. Proper soil preparation for growing roses will help them grow healthier and have fewer maintenance issues.
Soil preparation can be carried out at any time when the ground is not too wet and not frozen, and at least a couple of months before planting. It should be well drained and high in organic matter. The place is chosen where there is a lot of sunlight, good air circulation.
Soil enrichment
The soil before planting needs to be improved: carefully dig and add a large amount of nutrients.
Many gardeners add fertilizer or special rose food to the soil during planting. The goal of mineral and nutrient replenishment is to ensure strong and healthy plant growth.
Adding organic materials will improve almost all types of soil. They bind sandy soil particles, so moisture and nutrients will be better retained. Clay particles are broken: water will penetrate inside, and the roots will grow well.
During the preparation of the beds, before planting roses, add organic matter to the soil, which may consist of a combination of any fertilizer. Chicken droppings and dung from animals that eat meat are too acidic for roses. Manure is important to rot well.
Mowed grass and crushed leaves, breaking down, can provide nutrients to the soil, help to loosen it. Autumn soil preparation in the rose garden allows the material to decompose all winter. You can collect leaves in the fall, applying when planting in the spring.
The role of microorganisms in the soil is very important. Support soil microbes by adding alfalfa meal, decomposed organic matter, or compost. These materials will improve the condition and quality of the soil by releasing nitrogen.
Ideal soil pH
PH is a measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of a soil. The pH level affects how well roses can access the nutrients in the soil, so it’s worth paying attention to. Most roses do not tolerate high acidity or alkalinity, usually preferring soils that are neutral or slightly acidic.
What kind of soil does a rose like? She must be well-drained. The pH level should be between 6.5 and 7.
If the acidity is increased, you can add agricultural lime, wood ash. If it is alkaline, treat it with ferrous sulfate, garden sulfur, which will help make it more acidic.
Note! If roses do not grow well and their leaves turn yellow, this may indicate that the soil is too alkaline. The addition of peat, rotted leaves, compost, tree bark, or dry cow dung improves all types of soil, making it more favorable for roses to grow.
Changing soil pH is a gradual process that can take several months. The amount of product to add to improve pH depends on soil type, pH level, and the product being added.
Soil types
The rose likes well-drained soil that retains moisture for a long time so that the roots can absorb it.
Additional Information! There are no specific recommendations on how to enrich the soil for roses because they vary greatly. You can pay attention to the plants growing nearby. If other plants are lush, green and blooming abundantly in the area, the soil is likely to be in good condition.
Choosing soil for roses
Rose bushes can be grown in almost any type of soil, as long as it is well drained and full of humus. They can adapt to any type of soil, with the exception of light sandy ones: water and nutrients quickly leave through it before the rose has time to absorb everything it needs. For this reason, sandy soils require additional preparation: they carefully dig it up, make an abundant amount of organic matter. A good layer of mulch will help retain moisture.
It is important to remember that light sandy soils require more frequent feeding and watering. They quickly dry out, nutrients are washed out. Sandy ground often cannot provide the support and support needed to withstand strong winds.
Clay soil will hold water but drain poorly. It is usually very alkaline and requires the addition of a large amount of organic matter. If the soil is heavy clay, compost or peat must be used to improve it.
Additional Information! A common mistake to loosen dense clay soil is to add sand to it, which forms a cement-like substance.
Poor soil loosening ingredients – organic matter in the form of compost that aids water retention and drainage, and weakens soil structure as they decompose. This is an excellent amendment for soils that have too much clay and also for soils that contain too much sand.
What is the best soil for roses? It is loam, as it retains moisture, nutrients, and does not require much preparation.
These soils are fertile, easy to work with, and provide good drainage.
Note! The best thing to do for any soil is to add about 20-30% of good compost and mix it into the topsoil. Even if the soil seems fairly loamy and moist, you can add organic matter to it before planting.
Mulching
Mulch will suppress weeds, keep roots cool by maintaining an even soil temperature, and help retain moisture. Mulching materials should be at least 7.5-10 cm thick to effectively control weeds and retain soil moisture.
Choose an organic mulch that will break down slowly and continue to nourish the soil and improve its texture. Good choices are shredded bark, dry leaves, grass clippings, and good compost.
Most mulch materials should be at least 7.5-10 cm thick to effectively control weeds and retain soil moisture. Keep them away from the stems of the rose bush for air circulation and sunlight. Mulch placed close to the bush can lead to rot and provide a hiding place for rodents and pests.
Mulch is not applied to dry soil, it is best to apply it when the soil is warm and moist. Before mulching, weeds are removed, especially perennials with deep roots.
How to plant roses in the garden
When growing roses in open ground, at the end of September they prepare the soil by digging to a depth of 40-50 cm, removing old roots, plant debris, and stones. Digging will serve to obtain soft and well loosened soil. It is not recommended to transplant roses into the same soil where other roses have grown before. If the bush has recently been harvested, let the soil stand for a long period of time, or replace the soil.
Roses grow in all shapes and sizes, so you need to make sure that the plant has enough space so that it can grow without being overwhelmed, including the root system. Everything that grows above the soil is reflected in the growth of the roots.
Avoid planting too close to established shrubs and trees as they will compete with roses for water and nutrients.
Roses are planted in groups, at least 1 m apart, however, some smaller roses, such as miniature ones, can be planted closer to each other.
If the soil is adequately prepared, fertilizing at planting time is not necessary until the rose has developed and bloomed before making the first feeding. This will not only change the pH of the soil, burn off the new roots, but also stimulate their growth during the dormant period, and such roots are easily damaged by frost.
Preparing the soil before planting will greatly improve the growth and health of roses. If they are already growing, loosen the soil near the bush carefully so as not to damage the roots.
