Organic Rose Gardening

A rose garden full of healthy microbial life nourishes not only the roses but all the wildlife and insect species that use it. This ecosystem, in turn, keeps the garden free of pests and disease.

The three worst rose plagues – black spot, powdery mildew and rust – spread through spores that can remain dormant in the soil for years. Organic gardening practices smother these spores.

Soil

The soil in which roses grow is incredibly important. Roses love a well-drained rich loam soil that has been amended to include humus and other coarse organic matter.

Roses prefer a soil pH between 6.5 and 7. Variations in the soil pH result in nutrient binding to the soil and becoming unavailable to the plant. You can test your soil pH at home with a kit from most hardware / garden centers.

A good test of the soil texture is to grab a handful and squeeze it. A healthy soil will crumble in your hand rather than clump or slide off the palm.

It is important to amend your soil prior to planting a new rose. If you are planting bare root roses, dig a hole that is a spade’s width and spade’s depth. Place a handful of well rotted organic matter in the bottom of the hole to improve drainage and aeration.

Fill in the rest of the hole with a mix of potting soil and a handful of bone meal, Toprose and glacial rock dust. Plant the roses in this mixture, fanned out over the cone.

During the winter cover the roses with a mound of soil to a height of 1 foot. The mound will protect the roots from frost and cold weather damage. It is also a good idea to stop deadheading roses during early fall so that the plant can set hips and prepare for winter.

Water

A healthy rose plant, like all plants, needs good quality water. It also benefits from a deep, rich soil which helps it to grow vigorously and resist disease.

Adding organic material to the soil helps to retain moisture, improves nutrient availability and reduces rot. It also encourages the activity of microbial life in the root zone which provides a natural defense against fungal diseases such as black spot, powdery mildew and rust.

Organic mulches, such as shredded bark, wood chips, straw or pine needles, keep the soil moist. This helps to prevent fungal disease development and promotes a deeper, more vigorous root system. It also smothers any fungus spores in the soil and on leaves which could be splashed back onto the roses during rain or watering.

Wet the soil to the point that it feels saturated at six inches down. Repeat this as needed throughout the summer to ensure that your roses receive enough water to stay healthy and productive.

For the first season after planting, use a general all-purpose organic fertilizer such as Fish & Kelp Fertilizer to provide a steady supply of nutrients. After that, you only need to add a light application of organic compost or well-decomposed manure at the beginning of spring and mid-season.

Fertilizer

Roses are heavy feeders, so they require frequent fertilization to encourage lush growth and healthy blooms. Organic rose fertilizers deliver a balanced diet without synthetic chemicals, and they help promote healthy soil, a natural defense against disease and a sustainable garden ecosystem.

Organic rose fertilizers, like compost teas and fish emulsions, are rich in beneficial microorganisms that enhance nutrient uptake by plant roots. These natural fertilizers are better for the environment, too, because they don’t leach nutrients into groundwater or waterways.

When using organic fertilizers, check your soil’s PH level before you apply them. A reading of 6 – 7 is optimal for most roses. You can buy a ph meter at most gardening stores for around $70.

Before you fertilize, mulch the area around your roses with compost or well-rotted manure. This helps retain moisture, enriches the soil and slowly releases nutrients. Some growers also use coffee grounds for their high nitrogen content and nettles, commonly considered garden weeds, to add silicon, which helps flowers shine with a higher degree of color intensity. These types of organic matter also boost microbial activity in the soil, which can help a rose bush resist diseases and withstand environmental stresses. The National Gardening Association explains that healthy soils with high levels of microbial life reduce the need for herbicides and lead to thriving roses.

Pruning

Roses are heavy feeders and require plenty of nutrients. Organic fertilizer is best for them, although chemical fertilizer works fine.

It is important to prune correctly for roses. Pruning encourages new growth, improves the overall appearance of the plant and helps prevent disease. When pruning, a good rule of thumb is to cut just above a growth bud. For example, if you want to move a cane toward a path, cut above a bud facing that direction. This way the bush has all of its growing energy directed where it is needed.

Avoid using herbicides around roses. Chemicals like glyphosate (used in Roundup) are very damaging to roses and should be avoided. If you have a problem with weeds in your garden, mulch or hand weed instead of spraying.

A few other helpful things to remember when considering going organic with your roses: • Always water plants thoroughly when you water them. This helps prevent fungal diseases like black spot and powdery mildew. • The three worst rose diseases – black spot, powdery mildew and rust – are spread by spores. These spores can remain dormant in the soil and on leaves for years. Fertilizing the soil with compost or other organic amendments smothers these spores. Soil with more organic components is also better able to retain moisture.