Fertilization at key times is the key to success for vibrant and stunning blooms.
So, what is the best time to fertilize roses in California?
Early spring is a great time to start fertilizing your roses as the roses wake up from winter nap. Then, fertilize every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
Don’t apply fertilizer from 6-8 weeks before the first frost date.
Let me explain this fertilizing schedule to you!
Best Time To Fertilize Roses in California:
The first thing that you should know is that roses are heavy feeders.
Therefore, they require consistent fertilization throughout the growing season.
Let me break this down for you:
- Start your fertilization in early spring as your roses come out of dormancy.
- Fertilize every 4-6 weeks during the growing season for stunning blooms.
- Stop applying fertilizer 6-8 weeks before the first frost date.
Now, you might be wondering why the fertilizing schedule differs for people.
Some fertilize once a month, while some do every two weeks. Both get stunning blooms. What’s the deal?
My tip to you is to keep things simple.
Start your fertilization in early spring as your roses come out of their winter nap. Then, follow the schedule as recommended by the fertilizer.
For example, when I use Espoma Organic Rose-Tone, I fertilize once a month during the growing season.
But BioAdvanced All-In-One Rose and Flower Care fertilizer (another great product) recommends fertilizing every six weeks.
So, follow the instructions, and you will be good to go.
Let me summarize all this for you:
| When To Fertilize? | Why? |
|---|---|
| Early Spring: | Start fertilizing your roses in early spring when the foliage grows to maximize flower production. |
| Every 4-6 Weeks: | Generally, fertilize every 4-6 weeks in the growing season. Stop fertilizing 6-8 weeks before the first frost date. |
Let me explain it in detail.
Fertilize in Early Spring:
As the weather warms up in California, it’s time to feed your roses.
Most experts say that this is when their first leaves start to open (fully).
The gift of fertilizer after dormancy will allow your roses to produce stunning blooms.
For Northern California, you may have to wait till late March or later for the temperatures to rise.
Don’t worry.
When the growth starts, you will notice visible signs.
It is time to move on when you finish the first application in early spring.
Fertilize Every 4-6 Weeks (Growing Season):
Roses love to eat.
Since they are heavy feeders, they require nutrients consistently.
To do so, we will fertilize our roses every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
For the best schedule, follow the instructions on the fertilizer package.
For example, the Espoma Organic Rose-Tone fertilizer recommends one application per month.
Therefore, the best advice is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Your roses will love that!
As a result, your roses will produce beautiful blooms throughout the growing season.
Now, the question is when to stop.
When NOT To Fertilize?
The rule is simple.
Stop fertilizing 6-8 weeks before the first average frost date.
| USDA Zone | First Frost Date | Last Frost Date |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 5 | October 13 – 21 | April 7 – 30 |
| Zone 6 | October 17 – 31 | April 1 – 21 |
| Zone 7 | October 29 – November 15 | March 22 – April 3 |
| Zone 8 | November 7 – 28 | March 13 – 28 |
| Zone 9 | November 25 – December 13 | February 6 – 28 |
| Zone 10 & 11 | No usual frost | No usual frost |
We do not want to push new growth before winter, as frost will damage it.
So, it is best to let your roses rest as they have to store energy for the upcoming season.
In this way, we will prepare them for winter dormancy.
This takes us straight to the next point!
Fertilizing Newer Plantings:
Since newer plantings are in the process of establishing their root system, they do not need fertilizer.
They will be ready to take nutrients and thrive when they are established.
So, what should you do?
Plant your rose plant in nutrient-rich soil, as it is a heavy feeder.
After planting, top off the soil with compost and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Epsom salt around the plant’s base.
The magnesium in Epsom salt is great for roses as it encourages growth.
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Simple!
Tips for Growing Roses Successfully in California:
Here are my top tips to successfully grow stunning roses in Northern and Southern California.
- Pick a suitable variety.
- Stop deadheading 8-10 weeks before the first frost.
- Stop fertilization 6-8 weeks before the first frost.
- Roses need 6-8 hours of that California sun.
Let me explain.
1. Pick A Suitable Variety:
California is HUGE.
Therefore, different varieties work best for each part.
Let’s take a look at some of them:
| Where? | Varieties: | Comments: |
| Northern California | 1. Charles Darwin 2. Polka Rose 3. Lasting Love | Due to their low sun requirements, they do well. |
| Southern California | 1. Peace Rose 2. Gold Medal 3. Darcey Rose 4. The Lady Gardener (the perfect pink rose) | These roses have more sun requirements. Therefore, they thrive in the southern part of the state. |
Best Roses To Grow in Northern California:
As mentioned earlier, these three varieties thrive in Northern California:
- Charles Darwin
- Polka Rose
- Lasting Love
These varieties thrive in the northern part of the state due to their low sun requirements.
Charles Darwin and Polka Rose will give your garden a beautiful yellow look.
Charles Darwin produces bright yellow blooms, while Polka produces soft pink to more apricot blooms, making them a great combo.
On the other hand, the Lasting Love produces beautiful red blooms that last a long time.
This rose has a perfect cut flower shape and is usually the one we think about when discussing roses.
These roses do not need as much sun as the southern varieties and do well in the partial shade of North California.
Best Roses To Grow in Southern California:
Three types of varieties thrive in Southern California:
- Peace Rose
- Gold Medal
- Darcey Rose
- The Lady Gardener (the perfect pink rose)
These roses have more sun requirements. So, they do well in the southern part of the state.
The Darcey produces bright pink blooms, making it a great addition to the garden.
The Peace starts as white and fades into pink, so planted with Darcey, it makes a great combination.
The Gold Medal produces bright yellow blooms to give your garden a golden look.
While these varieties are beautiful, they need proper care to grow and survive.
These varieties need to be kept away from pests and diseases.
This takes us to the next point!
Best Fertilizer For Roses:
These are my top picks:
- Espoma Organic Rose-Tone
- BioAdvanced All-In-One Rose and Flower Care (Concentrate)
If I talk about Espoma Organic Rose-Tone, roses love this organic food.
Their wonderful blooms tell that!
What I like:
- Healthier plant
- More blooms
- Fast-acting
What I dislike:
- Bad odor
- Attracts flies
It does not smell good. But as this fertilizer produces great results, it’s worth this minor inconvenience.
To get rid of flies, place the compost or mulch over it, and you will be good to go.
Now, let’s move on.
The BioAdvanced All-In-One Rose and Flower Care (Concentrate) will do the job if you want to avoid disease and pest problems.
Not only that, this product will improve the overall health of your roses.
As a result, you get beautiful blooms.
A great product!
Wrapping Up:
If you plan to grow roses in your backyard, this schedule is for you.
Early spring is a great time to start fertilizing your roses as the roses wake up from winter nap. Then, fertilize every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch.