Expert Tips For Perfecting Your Soil For Thriving Roses

My great-grandmother had the most stunning rose bush. It was very old — the kind you only see on homesteads that have been around for generations. This particular rose produced huge yellow blooms larger than my hand and smelled like heaven. When her old house was going to be demolished, my grandpa dug up the ancient plant and moved it to his garden. Although it lived for a while, it never really thrived. I don't know if soil amendments would have saved that plant, but as House Digest's Garden Editor and in-house Master Gardener, I can tell you good soil is certainly something you'll need for your roses to live long, healthy lives.

There are many species in the Rosaceae family. There are the very old garden species, like my great-grandmother had, English roses, wild roses, and more modern cultivars, like the many types of Knock Out roses. New hybrid species have been bred to tolerate a wider range of soil conditions, while the older types need a little more care. Regardless of which rose varieties you're growing, they will benefit from soil that drains well, has the ideal pH, and contains the nutrients they need to provide you with the most beautiful blooms.

Late winter through early spring is the perfect time to plant roses. Ideally, you'll want to get them in the ground before they break dormancy, but if they're showing signs of new growth, that's okay. Just prepare the ground as quickly as you can because those freshly planted roots are going to be ready to grow and spread as the weather warms. Choose a location that drains well and gets full sun — six to eight hours — for the most blooms. 

Testing is the first step to perfecting your soil before planting, and you'll need to check the soil acidity as well as the nutrient levels. Your local extension service may offer cheap or free soil tests, or you can buy DIY options like the Rapitest Soil Test Kit. It also helps to know the structure of your soil, and a simple glass jar soil test can help you determine if you're working with sand, clay, or something in between.

Once you know what conditions you're working with, you can prepare your amendments. Adding high-quality compost to the soil is always a good idea. You may also need other products to create the ideal growing medium before planting.

With your rose species selected and a few tools ready, it's time to amend the soil and plant. Roses like soil that is slightly acidic to neutral, so if your pH level isn't between 6 and 7, you'll need to adjust it. Follow the package instructions for the products you're using to perfect your soil and avoid making common mistakes when you're trying to make your soil more acidic. Keep in mind that it may take several months to hit the sweet spot of 6.5 pH for roses, but as long as it's close, they'll be fine.

Next, amend your soil based on any deficiencies you discovered with the soil test. Balancing the nutrients in soil can be tricky, but unless you are dealing with extremely low or high levels of the macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium, a high-quality rose fertilizer like Espoma Organic Rose-Tone is perfect for planting and maintenance. Just follow the instructions on the package to avoid over-fertilizing. If you discover extremes in your soil's nutrient levels, take a sample of your results to the local Cooperative Extension Office, or contact a professional landscaper for help.

Now that your amended soil is ready to go, dig a hole about twice as wide and deep as the root ball. Mix about ⅓ parts compost with the soil you removed and backfill the hole so the soil line on the plant is even with (or a little higher than) the ground. Backfill the rest of the hole and tamp the soil gently with your foot to secure the new rose bush.