Springtime means grabbing your gardening gloves and giving your patio or landscape some love and attention. Follow these simple planting steps to get your new roses growing and off to a healthy start!
In-Ground Planting
1. Pick a sunny place to plant: Your rose bush will need at least 6-8 hours of sun each day, so choose a sunny spot to plant.
2. Dig a large hole: Dig a hole slightly larger than the container. Work the soil at the bottom of the hole with your shovel so that it’s loose and aerated.
3. Remove rose from container: Remove the rose from its container. Use your hands to gently loosen the roots at the bottom of the plant.
4. Plant your rose in the ground: Place the plant in the hole, ensuring that the base of the plant is level with the soil.
5. Fill in soil around plant: Add soil back to the hole around the plant. Crumble the soil so that it is nice and aerated. If desired, mulch around the plant.
6. Water rose until established: Water your rose thoroughly around the base of the plant, allowing it to soak in. Repeat as necessary. For the next couple of weeks, check-in and water the plant as needed to ensure it stays healthy.
Container Planting
1. Pick a pot with drainage: Choose a container two sizes larger than the size pot the plant was currently in to give it room to grow. Select a pot with drainage or drill holes in the base to allow water to flow out.
2. Add potting soil: Place multiple scoops of the potting soil into your container.
3. Add rose: Remove the rose from its container. Use your hands to gently loosen the roots at the bottom of the plant. Place in your container, ensuring that the base of the plant is straight.
4. Fill in soil around plant: Add soil around the plant, leaving only 1½ inches at the top of the container.
5. Place in a sunny spot: Your rose bush will need at least 6-8 hours of sun each day, so choose a sunny spot to place your container.
6. Water twice a week: Water your rose thoroughly around the base of the plant, allowing it to soak in. Repeat twice weekly.
Justin Hancock, Costa Farms garden guru Photograph: Costa Farms
If looking for a plant that provides more bang for your buck, look no further than Norfolk Island pine. Justin has written a great article on this plant, click here to read it.
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