Roses love water. The right amount of water helps them grow and promotes large, long-lasting flowers with rich colors and thick, sturdy petals. Water transports nutrients to the rose through both roots and leaves.
Keep these tips in mind when watering your plants:
Soil, temperature and surrounding plants influence how much water a rose needs. In temperate climates, weekly watering is usually sufficient, and two inches of water per week (4 to 5 gallons) may be all that is needed. If the soil is sandy or the garden is hot, dry or windy, more frequent watering may be necessary. If your soil contains a lot of moisture, be careful not to overwater as too much water can promote root rot.
The best care for your plants is to water deeply to achieve a deep root system. Light watering will result in shallow roots, making the plant more susceptible to the effects of summer heat and winter frost. So water slowly and deeply.
Test the soil with your finger to know when to water. If your finger is completely dry, your plants need more water. If it is muddy, there may be too much water or not enough drainage. Another indicator of overwatering is yellowing leaves that are soft. Yellowing leaves that are dry and brittle may indicate inadequate watering. If the soil is moist, this indicates that the watering is just right.
Use mulch to conserve water
A good way to save up to 50% of water is by mulching. A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch keeps weeds down and cools the soil, lowering temperatures by 10 to 20 degrees.
Purchase mulch from your local nursery or use what you have on hand. Newspaper, shredded or laid out in sheets, anchored with soil, keeps weeds at bay and retains moisture. Old sawdust (composted for a year to prevent nitrogen loss), herbicide-free, grass clippings, compost, hay and aged horse manure are also good choices. We recommend that you use our Heirloom brandMuntcompostfor the best results.
