Fertilize only when plants are growing. Your roses will want to go dormant so you wait until a killing frost to do the winterizing of them. Any website on how to winterize will explain what you have to do.
Roses should not be "fertilized" after about the middle of August in zome 5 of colder since that could well promote new growth that will not harden off before winter. However, you could mulch around that rose with compost and other mulch materials that will feed the soil that will then feed the rose next growing season.
The sign of a good gardener is not a green thumb, it is brown knees.
Posts: 6152 | Location: Twin Lake, MI USA | Registered: Aug 19, 2004
I also live in zone 5. The best thing that I have found with my roses is that I dig around the base of them in the spring and work some EBSON SALT into the soil . then water . do this around 3 times in the summer and you too will have beautiful roses. I have loved the results. I do nothing with mine to prepare them for winter and have many nice plants.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: rustedroot1961,
If you need to add Espom Salts (Magesium sulfate) to your plants every year that is an indication that you need a good, reliable soil test done. Most Michigan soils seem to be lacking sufficient Magnesium and that can also affect your soil pH. The best soluton to a soil laking sufficient Mg is to correct the soil pH with the right amount of dolomitic limestone.
The sign of a good gardener is not a green thumb, it is brown knees.
Posts: 6152 | Location: Twin Lake, MI USA | Registered: Aug 19, 2004
