How to Feed a Rose
Feeding your roses twice a year will encourage strong, healthy growth and abundant flowering. It’s a relatively quick and simple task, yet is one of the most beneficial jobs you can do to ensure that your roses are at their most healthy and floriferous when summer arrives.
WHY FEED YOUR ROSE
Feeding provides your rose with key nutrients to keep it healthy, allowing it to produce better blooms and resists pests and diseases.
There are two types of rose food - granular and foliar. Granular feeds are easy to apply as they are simply sprinkled over the soil. They slowly release nutrients over time which the rose absorbs through its roots. We recommend our own specially formulated David Austin Rose Food.
WHEN TO FEED ROSES
1st Feed
In late March/early April, just before the leaves are fully open. Follow immediately with mulching.
2nd Feed*
In early July, after the first flush of flowers, to encourage repeat-flowering.
Note: *Once flowering roses only require one feed per season, first feed in March/early April.
You will need
DAVID AUSTIN ROSE FOOD HAND FORK GLOVES
How TO FEED ROSES
Step 1: Clear the ground under your rose
Firstly, ensuring you are wearing your gloves, use your hand fork to remove weeds, old leaves and other debris from the base of your rose.
Step 2: Sprinkle rose food around the base of the rose
Sprinkle approximately 30g of David Austin Rose Food around the base of your rose, using the measuring scoop provided. Spread the food evenly around the base of the rose, to the width of the canopy.
For shrub roses apply a one scoop (30g per rose).
For climbing roses apply a two scoops (60g per rose).
GARDENER'S TIP: Do not be tempted to over-feed – this will, in fact, do more harm than good.
Step 3: Mix the rose food into the soil
Gently mix the rose food gently into the surrounding soil using your hand fork.
Step 4: Water your rose
If the ground is dry, water your rose.
Follow with mulching.
It is important to follow the feeding of your rose with mulching. Watch our mulching video which gives you all of the tips you need to successfully mulch your roses.