green thumb: how to start a rose garden...

This month, spring is finally in full bloom! Things are heating up around here in Arizona (we've got our first consistent week of 90 degree weather) and wildflowers are popping up everywhere. Whether your winter seemed to last forever, or you've been stuck inside with consistent rain, now is the perfect time for gardening. If you've followed me on social media for some time, you probably know the that we are big vegetable and herb gardeners in our home. You probably all know by now that I have taken up gardening as a hobby over these past few years. You may have even seen my Instagram adventures with the littles talking about tomatoes, peppers and kale as big as their bodies, and winter squash. It can be quite a jungle out there, but it’s so much fun planting things and watching them grow and bloom!

Some of you may be hesitant to start a garden because of your green thumb (or lack thereof). Well today I’m giving a little lesson in gardening 101, only this time I’m focusing on roses. Now, up until we moved to our current home - I was not a rose garden person! However, the previous owner was - and he left three separate rose gardens for us to... tend to, so I had to study up and learn to take a little time to stop and smell the roses. With Earth Day around the corner, what better way to celebrate our planet, then roll up your sleeves and do some good—one rose at a time. As long as you have some sunlight, you can start a rose garden just about anywhere. If this sounds like something you’re willing to commit to, I have a few easy-to-follow tips to help you on your way. Keep scrolling to see how you can master the art of gardening, one rose bush at a time.

Let’s get planting…

how to start a rose garden

 1. Pick the right rose. 

Choose your rose bush wisely! Make sure the rose bush you plant already has at least one blooming rose. This way, you are aware of the petal color and that the rose bush will actually be fragrant. Look into low-maintenance roses that will not require a lot of upkeep. For instance, climbing roses tend to sprawl and produce many blooms, so you will be spared the need to prune your rose bushes regularly.

2. When to plant.

Bare root roses should be planted when the daytime temperatures are between 40-60F. Aside from extreme weather, potted roses can be planted at any time during the year. Extreme weather conditions are when the ground is frozen, water-logged or during a drought. Steer clear of these times and you are good to plant!

3. Pick a sunny spot. 

Roses do best in full sun (six+ hours a day), in well-drained, organically rich soil. Roses thrive on direct sunlight. For best results, a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight is recommended. However, even when planted against a north wall (meaning no direct sunlight) roses can still perform well. To give your garden the best starting point, scout your area, and watch it for a few days recording how many hours of direct sunlight it gets. Pick the spot with the most direct light. 

4. Avoid competition from other plants.

The closer you plant your rose to other plants, the more competition there is for moisture and sunlight. For best results, plant your rose 3 feet away from other plants and 2 feet from other roses. Avoid planting a rose under an overhanging tree branch. Avoid exposed, windy sites. Strong winds can cause the base of the rose to loosen in the soil, which can lead to it growing at an angle (which in some cases will kill it).

5. Prepare the site. 

Planting roses takes a lot of preparation. When digging the hole, make sure it is about two times wider that your plant's root ball, but about the same height.

5. Know when and how much to water. 

During the rainy season (if you have one) you will not need to water your roses at all, but in the summer be sure to water your rose garden up to 3 times a week—especially if you spot yellow leaves on your plants. Yellow leaves = excess watering! Soil should be moist but not saturated (roses like to have their "feet" dry and do not like to sit in water). Roses will survive with a minimum amount of water, but will flourish when grown in well-draining soils with ample amounts of moisture. Most importantly water slowly and deeply. A schedule of two deep waterings per week is better than several light waterings, which will encourage shallow roots that are easily damaged and can't anchor the plant.

6. Prune the bushes annually.

Pruning your rose bush is very important. The general rule is to prune all of the stems down half way. Try to keep the plant young by pruning out the older stems each year. When a cane starts to look a little weak (the top shoots are wispy) it's time to prune. Take out one or two stems per year after the plant is mature (about 5 years old).

Generally you'll want to prune in late winter/early spring, when the first growth is beginning. It's ok to prune earlier, but it can be more difficult to identify the less healthy stems you'll want to prune out. If you still haven’t pruned by April it is still better to do so. During winter, prune down to 6 or 12 inches. New shoots will shoot up in the spring which will likely flower that year. English Roses are naturally vigorous and if left without pruning can become large and leggy shrubs. The main purpose of pruning is to create a shapely, attractive shrub, with good structure. This process also encourages fresh new growth.

7. How to dead head.

There are two good reasons to dead head: 1) to encourage repeat-flowering; and 2) it is an opportunity to shape your shrub. Each flowering stem can be cut back as far as three sets of leaves. The amount you cut back controls, to some extent, the shape and size of your plant. If you are unsure, cut back to the point where the flowers stop being produced on the stem.

8. Feed your roses (they get hangry too). 

All roses appreciate being fed, particularly repeat-flowering English Roses. If you wish to get the most out of your roses my local nursery expert recommend feeding. For best results, do two annual feeds: 1) at the beginning of the growing season; and 2) just after the first bloom cycle has finished, promoting stronger repeat flowering.

Did you know if properly cared for, a rose bush should live for about 30 years! So give your plants a little TLC!

Do you have any gardening tips of your own?

Let me know if you do in the comments!

XO Kassy