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First feeding

11 years ago

Hi everyone, I'm very new to roses and have tried to educate myself by reading articles, message boards and such but nothing takes the place of experience. Everything I have read says to fertilize as soon as they start leafing out. Every plant I have is awake and ready to go but it seems so early to begin feeding. Our weather can go from one extreme to the other in hours and I am afraid to encourage growth because we could still have a hard freeze. Could someone please tell me what to do? Thank you!!

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Comments (2)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
11 years ago
Well, think about it a minute. If you are going to put down an "organic" fertilizer such as alfalfa meal, it takes time for the alfalfa to break down into something the plant can actually use. So early is okay, because it's going to be a while before the plant can use it. The stuff might not break down for a long time depending on your climate--how moist, how humid, soil temperatures, etc.

On the other hand, if you are putting down a fast-acting chemical fertilizer like for example Miracle Grow, it is going to work right away--does it need to work right away in early March? Maybe not.

And then there are slow-release chemical fertilizers, Osmocote being an example. Osmocote is temperature-sensitive as far as the release goes, so if the soil is still fairly cold, nothing is going to happen for a while anyway. So if you are time-pressed later on in the spring, you might get it done now and be done with it.

Something else to take into account is the weather and your climate. If more frosts or snow are expected, of course wait.

Don't worry too much about the exact right time. After you've been gardening a while, even getting around to putting down some fertilizer is a major accomplishment. ;^)

If all else fails, read the directions on the package. They are usually pretty good.
psk8er
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you. I have never used alfalfa meal, didn't even know it was good for them. I did read about blood meal last year but thought it was a little late for it. Would now be a good time to apply that? Should I use alfalfa meal instead or since I am new to this just stick with the commercial fertilizers? So much to learn and everyone seems to like something different. I think the only thing agreed on is that black spot is the bane of everyone's existence and it is terrible in Alabama. I would like to do anything I could now before the other yard work starts to take much of my time. The only thing I have done is spray for black spot. Didn't know if it was early but had rather be safe than sorry later. It got ahead of me last year and I never got it under control.
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