by Dennis Meredith
One of the highlights of April gardening is planting roses.
If you’ve recently added roses to your garden, you’re already on the right track to creating a beautiful and fragrant display.
If you’re thinking of adding more roses, now is a great time to visit your local garden centres. You’ll find a wide selection available, allowing you to choose colours, scents and varieties that suit your space. Seeing them in person can help you pick exactly what you like.
Preparation
When planting new roses, it’s essential to prepare them properly so they can establish strong roots and thrive.
A key tip is to feed your roses as you plant them. Using a fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone will provide a rich source of nutrients, helping your roses settle in and grow strong and healthy. Roses are well known for being hungry plants—they are greedy feeders—so the more care and nourishment you give them early on, the more they will reward you with blooms later in the season.
Choosing the right spot
Pick a sunny location—roses generally need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Make sure the soil drains well; they don’t like sitting in water.
Preparing the soil
Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and roughly the same depth. This is where your well-rotted manure comes in:
Mix the excavated soil with well-rotted manure (about 1 part manure to 2 parts soil).
This improves soil structure, adds nutrients, and helps retain moisture without becoming waterlogged.
⚠️ Important: Only use well-rotted manure. Fresh manure can burn roots and harm the plant.
Planting the rose
Place the rose in the hole so the graft union (the swollen bit where the rose is joined to the rootstock) sits just at or slightly below soil level.
Backfill with your soil-manure mix, gently firming it in to remove air pockets.
Watering
Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) during the first growing season.
Mulching
Add a layer of mulch (you can even use more well-rotted manure on top) around the base:
With our summers becoming increasingly dry, this layer will help retain moisture, making the most of any rainfall and reducing the need for frequent watering.
Feeding Garden Shrubs
April is also the time to feed your shrubs and other plants. A general-purpose fertiliser, like blood, fish and bone, can be used across the garden to give everything a boost. Always follow the instructions on the packet to ensure you’re applying the right amount.
Keeping on top of weeds is equally important. Regular hoeing will prevent them from taking hold and competing with your plants for nutrients and water.
If you haven’t already, consider starting a compost bin. It’s an excellent way to recycle garden waste, and once the material has broken down, you’ll have a valuable resource to improve your soil and feed your plants naturally.
Finally, while it’s still a little early to plant out bedding plants, garden centres will soon be full of options ready for May. Now is the perfect time to plan your displays and get inspired.
With a bit of effort in April, your garden will be well on its way to a colourful and productive season. Sit back and enjoy watching the roses bloom. Happy gardening!
Three climbing roses – two potted and one bare root – were purchased from Harkness Roses online store at https://www.roses.co.uk/
