The 5 Best Rose Fertilizers of 2023

Jobe’s Organics Flower & Rose Granular Fertilizer

This granular fertilizer from Jobe's Organics contains beneficial fungi and bacteria such as archaea, which cause it to break down swiftly in soil. As compared to many other organic plant meals, this results in faster-acting eating. The fast action should remove the need for more liquid fertilizer in the spring to stimulate rose plants.

The fertilizer has an NPK ratio of 3-4-3 and comprises poultry dung, potash sulfate, and feather and bone meals. It can save the busy gardener both time and money because it only has to be used once every 6 weeks, rather than the monthly dose advised for many organic plant feeds. It also comes in a bag to make pouring easier.

Pros

• Organic components such as chicken dung and bone meal are used.
• Microorganisms that degrade fast in soil are included.
• Granular form allows you to go longer between feedings.
• It comes in a 4-pound bag that is easy to pour.

Cons

• Some gardeners find the smell too overpowering, and dogs find it too appealing.
• While applying, scrape into the soil.

Down to Earth Organic Rose & Flower Fertilizer Mix

Greater phosphorus levels often result in more flowers, and this flower fertilizer has a high phosphorus ratio. Because the phosphorus in this company's formula comes from fish bone meal and rock phosphate, it's a wonderful alternative for gardeners who are concerned about a bovine bone meal.

Because of the high phosphorus content, this fertilizer is good for many sorts of bulbs, including edibles and those produced for their flowers. Blood and alfalfa meals are also included, as well as seabird guano, humates, kelp meal, and langbeinite (a natural mineral that supplies potassium, magnesium, and sulfur).

Pros

• Organic fertilizer was listed by OMRI.
• Phosphorus levels are high to stimulate flowering.
• Organic components such as fish bone meal and rock phosphate are included.
• It is also suitable for bulbs, other flowers, and foods.

Cons

• Because the contents are appealing to dogs, it is recommended to dig it a few inches into the soil.
• It is not long lasting and should be administered twice a month.

Organic Plant Magic All Purpose Organic Fertilizer

Despite being often praised for its positive properties, gardeners do not use homemade compost tea as frequently as they would like since it is time-consuming to produce from scratch.

Thankfully, Organic Plant Magic's compost tea is ready to use, offering the advantages of rich organic compost without the bother. Just put the product in the planting hole as directed or mix it with water for use during routine watering.

Organic Plant Magic's fertilizer contains 55 trace minerals as well as millions of helpful microbes for a spring-starting brew that promotes growth with probiotics. It may also be used on flowering plants other than roses, making it suitable for all plants.

Pros

• Contains trace minerals and microbes.
• May be planted in a hole or mixed with water to feed slowly.
• Compost tea advantages without the hassle of composting
• May be used to nourish other blooming plants

Cons

• For optimal results, apply once every week.
• Before applying granules, gardeners should ensure that they have dissolved.

Neptune’s Harvest Fish Fertilizer 2-4-1

This fish fertilizer is a ready-made liquid that, once diluted, you can spray straight on the leaves of your roses—while also being gentle on your nose. Gardeners have wished for someone to take the odor out of the process since the Pilgrims discovered what dead fish could do for plants.

Neptune's Harvest created this fish fertilizer to have a low odor while yet retaining all of the nutrients and emulsion elements, such as vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and growth hormones. Although the finished liquid might not smell quite like a scented bath, roses should like bathing in it.

Pros

• Produced from a cold-processed fish
• It contains macronutrients as well as micronutrients.
• It's a liquid concentrate that makes 128 gallons of fertilizer.
• The manufacturer's recipe has reduced some of the stinks.

Cons

• There is still a strong odor that might attract dogs.
• Gardeners should pay close attention to dilution rates.
• Reapplication is required every week or two.

Jobe’s Organics Rose and Flower Fertilizer Spikes

Jobe's Organic fertilizer spikes are meant to provide the same benefits as the company's granular rose foods in compact 3-inch spikes.

Spikes are more expensive than granular fertilizer, but they are easier to apply and need no mixing or measuring, making them a better choice for gardeners who want ease. They also persist around 2 weeks longer, requiring fertilization less frequently. One bag contains a total of ten spikes.

Pros

• Simple stakes that don't require any mixing or mess
• Long-term feeding (about 8 weeks)
• Organic product on the OMRI list
• Contains beneficial fungus and bacteria

Cons

• Costs more in the beginning than granular formulations
• It takes a bit longer to apply (drive stakes into ground)

Consider the NPK ratio, the components, and how easy it will be to apply before purchasing rose fertilizer, including whether or not you will need to acquire extra instruments for that reason. Consider how it could affect your pets or local animals, as well as the environment of your garden.

NPK Ratio 

The three-digit NPK ratio contained in a fertilizer's description indicates the percentage of its volume dedicated to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. A 3-5-3 formula, for example, would have 3% nitrogen, 5% phosphorus, 3% potassium, and 89 percent filler.

Since phosphorus promotes blooming and root development, rose fertilizer manufacturers frequently consider the middle number to be the most crucial.

The plant feeds with a higher nitrogen level than the other two components may encourage luxuriant leaf growth but fewer flowers. Potassium gives plants the ability to withstand stress induced by high temperatures, drought, and other adverse situations.

Organic vs. Non-Organic

Although organic fertilizers have lower NPK ratios than chemical fertilizers, they include more microorganisms, which aids absorption and minimizes hazardous runoff. Most granular organic fertilizers have a slower rate of action than their chemical equivalents.

This implies that gardeners who wish to get their roses growing early in the spring may opt to add a liquid variety to compensate until the granular food kicks in.

Organic fertilizers may attract pets or wild animals because to their natural components, which frequently include bone or blood meal. Gardeners should keep all bags out of reach of curious paws since what is excellent for the earth may not be healthy for the dog.

Ease of Use 

Spikes take the award for convenience of use because they will endure for at least two months. Rose fertilization should begin in the spring, when the bushes begin to leaf out and end 4 to 6 weeks before the first fall frost, to avoid the plants having soft and still-growing foliage at that time.

As a result, most gardeners only need to use spikes a few times over the growing season.

Granular fertilizer ranks second on the ease of use scale since it does not require mixing. Just scoop it out of the bag and apply it once every 4 to 6 weeks, or around three or four times each year. More time-consuming liquids and sprays need mixing and application more frequently, perhaps weekly or biweekly.

Do you want quick and succinct solutions to your rose fertilization questions? If so, see the Questions below.

How should roses be fertilized?

Depending on the fertilizer, you either "scratch" it into the earth beneath your plants, pour it into the soil around their bases, or spray it on their leaves. If you use fertilizer spikes, dig the spike into the dirt near the root.

How can you determine whether your roses require fertilizer?

If your plants appear stunted and have yellowish, purple, or burnt-looking leaves, they may be deficient in nutrients.

When should you fertilize your roses?

Depending on the type of fertilizer used, it might range from once every week to once every two months.

When is the optimum time of year to fertilize roses?

Begin fertilizing in early spring and finish six to eight weeks before your average first fall frost date.

What nutrients do roses require the most?

The most important nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

The finest rose fertilizers include essential nutrients that increase bloom count while also enhancing plant and soil health. Jobe's Organics Flower and Rose Granular Fertilizer contains an ideal combination of microorganisms and macronutrients for increased bloom production. Jobe's Organics Rose and Flower Spikes fertilize for flower power for 8 weeks before the need to reapply for those who want a lot of flowers but don't have a lot of time.

BestForHomes (bestforhomes.org) hopes that our reviews of the best rose fertilizers have assisted you in narrowing down your selections and identifying the ideal product for your needs.