Thanks everyone! That's a lot of information, and all good. I have (after a LOT of searching on the internet) found a nursery in a neighboring town that carries the E.B. Stone products. So I think I'll take a little trip next week up to Modesto and get some of that. They have it in a 3-Lb. box and also in a 10-Lb. bag. I did consider the sharing-with-the-neighbor idea, because our neighbor has a large lawn, in front and back, (we have none) - but he also has back trouble, and he's so nice that I know he would try to help with that 50-Lb. bag and probably hurt himself. Good idea, though. In fact, all these ideas are good. We are moving to Sacramento sometime this year, and I'm clipping some of these answers for future reference (who knows what young and helpful neighbors may await us?). Thanks again!

Alfalfa breaks down slowly compared to blood meal. I might get results for several years from an application of alfalfa. blood meal is more fast-acting and more short term, like a candy bar. Keep in mind that soil and climate will influence results. In a light sandy soil with frequent rainfall nutrients are quickly washed below the root zone. In an area with heavy clay soil and modest rainfall, nutrients are better retained and available to the plant. Temperature, rainfall, and humidity are also a factor. "Organic" fertilizers break down into a form plants can use via microorganisms naturally present in the soil; when the soil is cold, the microorganisms go dormant or exhibit very little activity. So climates with a long growing season can take more fertilizer than northern climates with a short growing season. Soil that stays evenly moist rather than drying out significantly between rainfalls or irrigations will also break down "organic" fertilizer faster. For any fertilizer with instructions on the package, follow the instructions on the package! Keep in mind you can kill a rose with kindness by overdoing the fertilizer. Young roses especially are more vulnerable. Observe, observe, observe. Educate your eye as to what a thriving rose plant looks like. Are the leaves plentiful and deep green? During the growing season, does new growth appear immediately after the last flush of flowers is complete and deadheaded (or even before)? Walk around the neighborhood or visit a garden center. How do neighborhood roses and garden center roses compare? Are they radically better looking than yours? If not, hold off on the fertilizer, you don't need it.

There are many recipes on this forum for making "alfalfa tea"--you can easily locate them by using the "search" function. That process is longer and more complicated--but its adherents swear by it. A simpler method is to soak some pellets in a bucket of water for a couple hours--to get it "mushy"--and pour that on the roses. The easiest method is to spread the pellets underneath the bush (out to the perimeter), turn your hose on to a stiff strong spray, and generously water it in--it will start to partially break down. I then apply mulch. Which is best? Makes no difference except in how quickly it goes to work. The "tea" is the fastest-working, but most labor intensive (and can smell really bad). Being a somewhat lazy gardener, I spread the pellets directly to the soil and spray. As to when to use it, depends. I'd guess most users apply it in the spring-time. Some apply it a second time after the spring flush is done. Perhaps some apply it later, especially in long growing seasons like you enjoy. You can also feed your roses with a product like Rose Tone (or Holly Tone or Plant Tone)-- it has a little afalfa meal in it. I use about one cup of pellets per plant, unless it is a larger bush. I don't use it on new, small plants--not sure why, but it seems a bit much for them, to me. I don't know how much others use. Hope that helps. The stuff is terrific, but it does get to be a hassle with time--which is why I usually settle for hard pellets applied in the springtime, plus Rose Tone. Kate

Yes. The pellets are easier to find and cheaper to purchase in my experience and they work well. If you water them right after they are put down the pellets disintegrate and become easier for the plants to digest. If you don't water them they become good rabbit food--which is what the pellets are used for by people who have rabbits.