Roses will grow strong and healthy in spring if fed the right fertliser in March (Image: Getty)
Roses are among the best garden due to their magnificent colourful blooms, but they will only grow properly if given the right fertiliser.
Early spring is the best time to as the plant is just beginning to grow again after winter and needs nutrients to store away energy for production.
Nell Foster, a and founder of , has shared a simple yet highly effective way to grow bigger and more abundant flowers: make your own feed.
She said: “I don’t fertilise many plants but roses are ones that do benefit from it. The best way to feed roses, in my humble horticultural opinion, is to do it organically. I want to share this DIY rose food so yours will be healthy and have beautiful blooms.”
Roses are heavy feeders, and it takes a lot of nutrients to grow their flowers, so fertilising them now will ensure they have the energy they need for optimal bloom production.
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Roses will flower in abundance if cared for correctly (Image: Getty)
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How to make homemade fertiliser for roses
You will need:
- One part liquid seaweed fertiliser
- One-part alfalfa meal
- Half-part worm castings
Worm castings are organic waste produced by earthworms. They contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the three nutrients plants need to grow properly.
It also greatly improves soil health, so rose roots can grow deeper and absorb nutrients more effectively.
Liquid seaweed is rich in magnesium, iron and potassium, encouraging new shoots and healthier flowers. You can use any liquid fertiliser, but Nell uses the Evii Seafeed Xtra to make her rose feed.
Alfalfa is a plant that has a high source of nitrogen, which encourages stems and leaves to grow. It also contains a compound called triacontanol, which is a natural growth stimulant.
Triacontanol will help the roots grow stronger and also makes it more likely you will get healthier flowers
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Make sure to mix your fertliser is mixed with water for the roses to absorb the nutrients (Image: Getty)
Method
You need only mix the ingredients together and then add one part of your homemade fertiliser to one part water.
Plants typically absorb nutrients from liquid in their roots so mixing the fertiliser with water makes it easier for the roses to absorb.
Nell said: “This blend activates and continues to do so with water. Be sure to soak it in well after planting or applying and water regularly.”
First, give your rose plant a good watering. Then, dig a well around the base of a rose bush between the trump and drip line and pour the solution into the well.
Cover the well back up to blend the fertiliser into the soil, and your roses will be set for spring. This fertiliser can be used for roses growing in your garden or in containers.
Make sure to feed your roses when the weather is warmer once the threat of frost has passed (Image: Getty)
Make sure to wait and feed your roses once the risk of frost has passed. If the weather is still extremely cold, the roses are not growing and will not benefit from being fertilised.
You only need to feed your roses once in March to get the full benefits of this natural fertiliser in spring. Be careful not to overfertilise them, as a high concentration of nutrients can burn the roots.
Nell said: “Use approximately 1 to 2 cups for a large bush, 1 to 1 1/2 cups for a medium bush, and 1/2 to 1 cup for smaller bushes. The box of rose and flower fertilizer will give you the guidelines as to how much to use.”
Taking the time to make this feed will help you grow healthier and stronger roses, rewarding you with even bigger flowers in your garden.