Im just starting to dig up an area of my lawn to turn it into a rose bed. What types of things should I add to get the roses off to a good start?
Ooh fun — a new rose garden! It’s always exciting to start a new garden. Getting the bed ready before you plant is really important. As you haul all those wheelbarrow loads of compost, keep in mind — it’s easier to fix a problem now, than later. First, you’ll want to get rid of all the weeds — especially the perennial grasses and clovers. This may be a pain now, but it will be worse later if you don’t take care of it before you plant your roses. Second, get your soil pH tested. It should be around 6.5 or so. If it’s acidic (less than 6.0) add some lime. If it’s alkaline (above 7.0), add some sulfur. Be sure to follow the directions on the lime and sulfur packages. Third, add as much organic matter as you can find (within reason, of course). This applies to any type of soil. Organic matter is essential for making healthy soil, which results in well fed and healthy plants. Compost is one of the best sources of organic matter. Organic matter loosens up the soil, improves aeration and d
