How and When to Fertilize Roses for Vibrant, Beautiful Blooms You should begin feeding the perennial flowering bush in early spring. In This Article View All In This Article When to Fertilize Roses Nutrients That Roses Need How to Fertilize Roses Best Fertilizer for Roses Organic vs. Non-Organic Fertilizer FAQ Close Credit: Stone RF Roses are a beloved flower. They're fragrant, and they look beautiful in a garden—or in a Valentine's Day bouquet. However, despite their incredible popularity, roses aren't the easiest bloom to grow. These delicate blossoms are heavy feeders, so they'll need a lot of nutrients and must be regularly fertilized. The latter is especially important because fertilizing not only promotes healthy growth but also helps keep diseases at bay. Since roses are so picky, though, it's important to know exactly what they need before you start fertilizing. Here, we spoke to gardening experts to get the full scoop. Wes Harvell, rosarian at Jackson & Perkins, a full-service nursery considered the world's foremost producer and marketer of roses. Jimmy Speas, president of the Winston-Salem Rose Society, a society that was founded in 1953 and provides rosarians with the best practices for selecting, caring, and exhibiting roses. How to Plant Roses for Stunning Blooms That Last for Years When to Fertilize Roses Fertilize roses in early spring as they begin to leaf out, waiting until you see about 6 inches of new growth. Continue to fertilize your roses during the growing season, stopping feeding in late summer or early fall when they begin preparing for winter dormancy. "Fertilizing late in the season may encourage unnecessary tender new growth which may get damaged by cold snaps in the fall," says Jimmy Speas, president of the Winston-Salem Rose Society. "This damaged growth may then be susceptible to further damage by pests." 4 Genius Ways to Use Banana Peels for Healthier, More Abundant Roses Nutrients That Roses Need Roses require several key nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Additionally, they require trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, among others, says Wes Harvell, rosarian at Jackson & Perkins. "Without these nutrients, roses may have stunted growth, pale or discolored leaves, and decreased flowering," he says. Nitrogen: Promotes healthy leaf and stem growth, giving roses a lush and green appearance.Phosphorous: Supports the root development and flower and seed production of roses.Potassium: Potassium enhances disease resistance, which improves flower quality and increases plant hardiness.Calcium: Strengthens strong cell walls and chlorophyll production.Magnesium: Like calcium, magnesium also strengthens strong cell walls and chlorophyll production.Iron: Helps with photosynthesis and overall plant vitality. How to Deadhead Roses So They Bloom All Season Long How to Fertilize Roses How you fertilize roses depends on the type you are growing and when they were planted. When applying the fertilizer, follow the instructions on the packaging for guidance on how much to use. Newly Planted Roses Wait at least six weeks after planting new roses before fertilizing them to allow time for the roots to establish, says Harvell. Sprinkle a balanced fertilizer specially formulated for roses, such as a 10-10-10. around the base of the plant. After applying, water the plants thoroughly to help the nutrients reach the roots. Established Roses Fertilize established roses in early spring as new growth begins and again in late spring or early summer after the first flush of blooms, says Harvell. Scatter a balanced fertilizer specially formulated for roses, such as a 10-10-10, evenly around the drip line (the area under the outermost branches) of the rose bush, says Harvell. Water the plant thoroughly after fertilizing. Container Roses Fertilize container roses every four to six weeks during the growing season. "Use a water-soluble fertilizer or a slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for container plants," says Harvell. "Dilute the water-soluble fertilizer according to the instructions on the packaging and water the roses with it. If using a granular fertilizer, sprinkle it on the soil surface and lightly scratch it into the top layer of soil." Water the plant thoroughly after fertilizing.