Encourage more blooms on your roses this summer with this easy task (Image: croquette via Getty Images) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Roses are a stunning flower that can brighten up any garden, and if you have them planted outside, there’s only a month or so to go before they start to bloom. However, it is possible to give them a boost before they open up to encourage more flowers during the summer months.
If you want more roses blooming in summer, early spring is the ideal time to carry out some garden maintenance. It’s actually incredibly straightforward to do, according to gardening expert and TikTok creator Michael Griffiths. It’s all about ensuring you’re feeding your roses correctly to give them plenty of energy to produce more flowers.
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Make sure you clear the soil of weeds and debris before applying feed (Image: Getty Images)
Michael outlined his expert process in a recent video.
He said: “If you want loads of flowers on your roses this year, now in early spring prior to flowering is the perfect time to give them a feed.”
First of all, you want to make sure to clear up your flower beds of any weeds and debris. Gardeners should ensure the base of the rose plants are clear, whether they’re planted directly into the ground or in plant pots, reports The Mirror.
Follow by measuring out the correct amount of feed. The Royal Horticultural Society explained: “Roses are hungry plants and will flower and grow better if mulched with well-rotted manure. If planted in poor soil or growth and flowering is poor, they may also benefit from a general purpose granular fertiliser.”
For roses planted in borders, the RHS recommends feeding them twice yearly: once in March or April prior to flowering, and again in mid-summer following the first flush of blooms.
It advises sprinkling general-purpose or rose fertiliser onto the soil surrounding the plant, at a rate of 70g per sq m (2oz per sq yd). Follow this by mulching the soil with well-rotted manure or garden compost.
For roses grown in containers, they will require more frequent feeding than those planted in borders. For optimal results, feed container roses once a fortnight from mid-spring through to late summer.
Apply a general-purpose liquid fertiliser until flower buds begin to form, to promote healthy growth. Once the roses have begun to flower, switch to a high-potash fertiliser, such as tomato feed, to stimulate further blooms.
After scattering the feed around the base of the roses, Michael recommends gently working the soil with a small garden fork. Once the feed has been applied, give the soil a light watering.
He said: “Finally, if you’re not expecting rain soon, lightly water it in.”
The RHS explained: “When watering, direct the flow onto the soil around the base of the plant, avoiding the foliage and flowers. This helps to deter fungal diseases and avoid excess water use.”
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