Being a lazy gardener, I use one of the continuous feeds--Osmocote but there are other brands also. I check to see that the NPK is fairly well-balanced--like 10-10-10 or 13-13-13, etc., or as close to that as I can get. (It is listed on the back or side of the product.) Since these last for 3-4 months (or 6 months, depending on which one you select), I can feed once in the spring, and that is it. Just make sure it will cover only until early August (I'd guess) in your area.

More work but a wonderful product is RoseTone (or HollyTone or PlantTone). It is organic and has lots of goodies in it, but should be applied monthly (til about early Aug. again).

Hope that helps.

Kate

Good soil.

Rosetone--which helps MAKE good soil.

I throw a couple of handfuls under each bush...when I remember. Which is not quite once a month...more like every six weeks. What can I say? I'm lackadaisical. Now you know why I'm a no-spray girl. (Except for the deer repellent. That goes on every ten days.)

melanie

I use Micracle Grow slow release for roses in the spring.
Then sometimes around the first of Sep (After Black Spot
Season) I spray everything in the garden with MG, using
the hose sprayer. Sometimes "simple is better".

John

Ignore "Rose" fertilizers except to see what the NPK values are. Then purchase generics with the same values. Because roses can't read, they don't know if a fertilizer is labeled for roses or not.
I'd choose a formula that releases slowly unless you want a fast release product.
For myself, I like organic s like Mill's Magic. Better yet free horse manure is great.
Patricia 43 said it with "Good soil".
Adding organics makes great soil. A loose friable organic rich soil is your best bet for growing good roses. Adding more organics yearly provides all the nutrients they need. Blood meal, fish meal, alfalfa meal, horse manure, coffee grounds, etc., added yearly will enrich the soil and provide natural nutrients.
Organic mulches help as they break down into compost and mix with the soil through worm action.
You'll find these products less expensive, and best for keeping the natural balance in the soil.

I prefer Dr. Earth or Mills Magic for my roses and clematis, although due to price I don't think I'll be using the Dr. Earth any longer, as I can get Mills rose food much cheaper.

I also always keep a bag of Rose-Tone on hand and will use that if I run out of one of the above organics.

I give each rose bush a heaping cup of the above foods each and every month, along with a 10-52-8 Bud & Bloom water soluable fertilizer every two weeks.

In the spring, when my roses are all showing first signs of life, I mix a cup of the Mills/Dr. Earth fertilizer with a few shovel-fulls of good mushroom compost and spread that around each rose in the spring.

matt in mi--

FYI--Rosetone is an organic fertilizer. Always has been.

melanie

Rose Tone. I also make my own mix with fish meal, kelp meal, some epsom salt, and 13-13-13. Works equal well as the roses canÂt tell the difference. Of course coffee grounds and alfalfa pellets are used throughout the growing season.

Over the last 40 years I have lived with the 40
different things to add to the soil to help the
roses. It will not help. My roses are great. I don't
worry about amything except some Black Spot which I
use Bayer for. No problem there. So if you want to spend a fortune on your roses. God Bless You. They cost enough to start with. Yes, I do have a problem once in a while but I transplant them and carry on.

John

John

I am with you,John.

By the way Karl: Roses can't read. But can you read
the roses?

Years ago, Blu Calhoun, who lived up a holler south of Hinton, WV, gave me gave me her recipe for homemade fertilizer & told me it was all I'd ever need for my roses. None of Blu's roses had official names. Most, I suspect, were antiques. Blu was rite abt the fertilizer. She grew the most beautiful roses I've ever seen.

Rose-tone is almost all organic, the super phosphate makes it not totally organic because of how it is processed. It is what I recommend to most people because the meals provide soil amending properties and the alfalfa has the growth hormone. I also use Mills Magic Mix and my usual liquid fertilizers are Mills Easy Feed and liquid seaweed in my fungicide sprays.

Of course, excellent soil is key. I try to amend yearly with a layer of manure in late fall.

I think I'll go buy a couple of boxes of Dr. Earth (a local garden center has it, first time I've ever seen it here, I found out kinda by accident) and try it in the little bed and Rose-tone in the main bed to see if there is a lot of difference. Dr. Earth is much more expensive, is has to come a long way to get to NJ, whereas Rose-tone is a NJ product and just has to come up the Parkway to get to Monmouth County.

My favorite fertilizer is supplied by this handsome fellow. I am lucky--no, blessed is the true word.

{{gwi:289604}}

His manure makes my clay soil fluffy (maybe that's what Karl means by friable?), rich, the worms love it, and the roses really love it.

You can find a riding academy or stable in your area (even if it's 30-40-50 miles away, it's worth the trip), and if you ask nicely, they usually are very kind about giving you some horse manure. They'll likely direct you to a big manure pile, and then leave you to it. You should dig more down into the pile, where the manure is well-rotted, rather than from the top or sides. Triple bag it, and a little goes a long way. Put it in the trunk of your car on the way home, with the A/C on full blast. Honestly, it won't stink up your trunk if you triple bag it, and remove it as soon as you get home. Then you lay it out to dry in the sun, any manure smell is gone in about 12 hours or less. Some people make a tea with it, and apply the tea frequently, which may be an easier application than working it into the soil, with no risk of burn. (Although I have never had burn from the manure, perhaps because I let it dry and disintegrate for a while before applying.)

I know you can find chicken manure and cow manure at garden centers, but really, there's just nothing like horse manure.

Stagreen 12-4-8 (3 month)

When I am lazy I use the new Miracle grow spray that I hook to the hose then put the bottle on the hose sprayer. When I am all gung-ho I use Magnum-gro that I buy in a bucket, I add a tablespoon to a gallon of water it is easier to use it in a large 2 gallon bucket. I always use kelp and fish meal. In the summer I use Dr. Earth fertilizer it has almost everything that mills has but the sewage sludge, it has alfala, cottenseed meal etc......
That is pretty much it besides adding amendments such as peat, and mulch each year.
Carrie

Mill magic mix in March and August. Nine month Slow release fert. with micronutrients in march and late June. The 9 month does not last 9 months here in the deep South. I also use Magnum-gro as a liquid boost 2 or 3 times a year. I add the free compost from the city compost facility which comes from greenry such as trees and such. I also use Response which is a foliar spray with my regular spray program every two weeks. If you have good soil you probably just need something like mills magic mix once or twice a year with a 9 month slow release once a year. I just moved here last year and am trying to improve my soil so I can one day get to that point.

Patrick

I use Mills Magic Mix and Mill's Easy Feed regularly. Occasionally I use Dr. Earth and Neptune fish/seaweed mix. When I spray I add in Response.

I looked at the ingredients on RoseTone but did not see fishmeal in it. It may be OK but I remember reading Ted Mills who said that fishmeal is a must. So I will stick with either Mills Magic Mix or Dr. Earth.

I'm glad I asked! Thanks, everyone, for your valuable input.

I've never seen many of these brands, but maybe I'm not looking in the right places. And where does one buy alfalfa?

I found a 10-10-10 time-release product and bought that last evening. I used Rose-Tone when planting/transplanting, but ran out. Lowe's had only Plant-Tone and Holly-Tone; I didn't think I should use either on roses, but it sounds like I could have.

We used to have horses, and I still have some old manure left. I'll have to get serious about using it. If and when I run out, my nearest neighbor is a horse farm. Thanks for the reminder!

Susan

I use Holly-tone when I run out of Mills Mix because I can find it at Costco in the 25 lb. bag early in the season for a lot less. The only difference in the "tones" is the percent of each of the meals. If I'm remembering correctly, Holly has a higher percentage of cottonseed meal, which is a little more acidic. Haven't seen any problems with using it on the roses. Thread from the Antique Roses forum: Rose Tone, Holly Tone or Plant Tone?

Alisande, I can never find alfalfa meal at garden centers, but it can be found in farm/feed stores. Since you said you live near horses, there's certain to be a farm/feed store in your area. The alfalfa meal is sold in 50 lb. bags for about 10 bucks. There are also alfalfa cubes, but I prefer the meal cause it's easier to spread around and break down.

The cheapest is the best.

I am lucky to live in the neighborhood of Territorial Seed Company. They have a wonderful organic fertlizer, which is just a combination of different manures and meals. I spread 25lb in spring and mid summer along with osmocote in all my beds (which are all mixed roses, annuals and perennials). I also use miracle grow in the summer every couple of weeks, to counteract the hot weather and give everything a boost. It looks like a jungle out there!
Kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: territorial seed company

This post went away too fast. I just tried a fertilizer mail-order called The Works. So far so good. I was looking for alfalfa and she has that plain too. This is my first time using alfalfa since I read about it hear.

I wanted to make sure I had the other things plants need so this one sounded the best. It has the fungus they talk about on other forums to with bacteria and coffee grounds and cottonseeds. I'll let you know later if my roses seem better. It didn't burn and I put on alot. I used seaweed foliage spray last year but I ran out. I'm on a fertilizer kick this year since reading these forums. I know coffee grounds help I use those already.

Here is a link that might be useful: its called The Works

Garden-Jo, you can buy alfalfa at the place where farm products are sold, horse feed. You can get cottonseed meal at the same place. You can buy fish meal. Get all the coffeegrounds you can find. You are building soil. Soil does not make the roses bloom but takes care of the roses' health, which will produce bloom. Treat the soil, not the rose. The soil will take care of the rose! Good for you.

Can Mills Magic Mix and Mills Easy Feed be used at the same time? Mills' site says they can be used in combination but does that mean together or a week apart? I hate to risk doing anything bad to my roses after losing so much this year.

I used MMM last year but this year I fear I lost all interest due to the brutal climate we live in. I lost about 35 roses I'd planted just last year, my first roses with the exception of a few rugosas the year before. The last week of March brought extremely warm temps, everything was starting to grow and leaf out. Then came 10 days of 20 degree temps. I had been so happy that all my roses, even tiny bands I'd planted late in October, were leafing out and growing and that was without any winter protection.

So the dweeb I am, being a newbie at roses, did not think (duh) I must go protect them now since they have all broken dormancy. Of course, they all died and there went hundreds of dollars in roses not to mention the time involved getting them planted and caring for them. It was painful and enough to make all of us in the neighborhood almost hate the thought of stepping foot in our gardens. So many other plants were lost and even trees.

I have 3 large tree roses that were overwintered in my garage and lived in there through the cold snap. They have seemed quite stunted with yellowish leaves, small leaves and never have filled out like last year. Two or three weeks ago I scattered some MMM on them and they have actually started to look so much better - leaves getting larger and foliage turning very green. But now I want to give them another dose. Plus I have replaced roughly 25 roses, some were small bands, that were planted directly into the ground. The bands are Alba Meidiland so they are a very hardy variety and are growing like crazy. All the other roses seem to be doing well but I have not fertilized them at all having planted them roughly the middle of June. Then there are the roses that did live and, poor things, I have not given them food either. (I must feel the need to confess...:o).

I also need to feed some roses planted a couple weeks ago from my pot ghetto. They are quite yellow but once put into the ground they started blooming like crazy. I am sure they must have a very healthy root system as the pots I planted them in were large enough to contain a good amount of fertile potting soil. They have been in those pots (overwintered in garage) for a year before planting into the ground.

I would appreciate your help. I also apologize to fellow rose and flower lovers for my neglect and apathy to my garden this year. I know it was not fair to lose all interest after that and I vow to do better. I appreciate your help.

This year for the first time, I put down composted manure in my beds and tilled it in. I'm planning to do that again, plus I'm using a compost bin for all my yard waste and hopefully I'll be able to use that on the roses next year.

I've been using alfalfa pellets and making tea from it. It went to Tractor Supply and got a 50lb bag. So far it's doing well. I think I keep doing that. It's a bit of a pain, but It's a lot more cost effective than the Bayer drench I've been using.

I'm not against dousing with Miracle Gro now and again during the year.

MMM (or similar products) is easy to use, you just put it down (some scratch it into the top layer) and let it decompose. You can use MMM (Mills Magic Mix) and MEF (Mills Easy Feed) "together", I would put down the MMM and water it in, then use the MEF two weeks later. At this time of year, I am done with the dry organics (I put down the last application two weeks ago), and have to go dig out my MEF, liquid seaweed and fish emulsion for the rest of the fertilizing season (through August).

Diane, I was hoping you would see this. Thank you. So I will put down the MMM tomorrow, water in and wait the two weeks before using the MEF, if I understand you. When you say "together" I'm assuming you mean in the same season but spaced out this way - not both in the same day. Hope I understood you correctly. And thanks again so much.

I use the cheapest money can buy. I am now using the generic Miracle Grow. I just sprinkle about a tablespoon full (spoons that come with the MG)some at the base of each rose and turn on the sprinkler system and sit back and enjoy the moment.

Remember to ask for salt free alfalfa.

If you are near Starbucks get some of their free coffee grounds

Zola, yep, you got it! You application of the MMM today should be your last of the season. You can probably get in two applications of Easy Feed, but read what the other zone 5'ers say.

OK, granted this is marigold fertilizer, but the Teddy Bears swear it works for all plants. Check out the link! LOL

Here is a link that might be useful: Planting marigold's into the ground -- the Teddy Bear way!

Lots of composted manure, preferably cow or sheep. Alfalfa and kelp also.

E.B. Stone

I like to use as many (cheap) organics as possible, like alfalfa and coffee grounds and boost occasionally with some time release or Miracle Grow (I toss down a tbsp and then water also).

However my favorite sources are the house buns:
Lulu & Ellie
{{gwi:289606}}

Stinkerbell & Elwood
{{gwi:289608}}

And Tank, aka Mr. T
{{gwi:289610}}

Mills Magic, Bayer 2 in 1, alfalfa tea, sulphur to help the soil absorb the nutrients, fish juice, standard lawn liquid fertilizers, thrive, whatever is available when I'm in the mood...

I don't have a "favorite" rose fertilizer, as such. Since roses can't read, and since roses are heavy feeders, they don't care what they "get" as long as they "get." I feed a variety. I feed all solubles, because I want the food to get to roses roses fast, not have to be broken down first. In other words, when I go into Lowes in the spring to get fertilzer, I purchase about 5 to 7 different analyses, 10-10-10, 20-20-20, etc., and alternate them. Since I feed all solubles, I feed every two weeks. I put the material down next to the plants and let the watering system deliver it for me. After over thirty years of growing roses, I realize there are no "silver bullets" for solving problems, but there are ways of simplifying various tasks, and I try to do that and still have happy roses. Mine are very happy.

I ask my dear hubby to bring home the used coffee grounds from his office daily. I spread them around everything - roses, clematis, cannas, daylilies, and hostas. I was using worm castings and liked that, but the coffee grounds are free and money is tight. I have some Bayer rose food that I use occasionally on my roses and clematis. But the most consistent thing is the coffee grounds. I just recently started with them, so we shall see how it goes.

This is my first year gardening, so I'm just trying to get a feel for what my plants like and kind of develop my own groove, so to speak. I do know everything really seemed to like the worm castings! Everything seems to like the coffee grounds, too - even in this back to back to back 100+ degree weather, everything is still growing and blooming for me. ;)