Thanks to Kathy Moine, our January 2019 guest speaker, for these great instructions on planting and caring for roses. She is an Advanced California Certified Nursery (CNN) Woman who has worked many years at Green Thumb Nursery in Lake Forest. She is also the host of “Koffee with Kathy,” a monthly event at the nursery where she shares her knowledge of gardening and brings in other expert speakers as well.
Here’s Kathy’s year-round instructions for growing magnificent roses:
January
Prune and plant roses
February
Mid-month: fish emulsion (5-1-1)
End of the month: one cup alfalfa meal
March
Utilize all-purpose rose food or liquid food for quicker results
April
Beginning of the month: use fish emulsion and water-soluble fertilizer
End of the month: use chelated iron, zinc, Epsom salts
May
Second week: use fish emulsion.
End of the month: use iron, Epsom salts, zinc and Super Thrive
June
Mid-month: use fish emulsion
End of the month: use Epsom salts, Super Thrive and chelated iron
July/August
Mid-July: use fish meal or blood meal
Mid-August: Rotate the second type of fertilizer
September
Do summer pruning
Mid-month: rotate between balanced rose food, fish emulsion, Super Thrive and apply Epsom salts and iron
October
Continue with September’s rotation; apply more Epsom salts and Super Thrive
Mid-month: alternate weekly bloom food (high middle number [N-P-K]) and fish emulsion (Note: NPK = Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium)
November/December
Rest!