How to Use Epsom Salt When Planting Roses

Overview

Rose bushes have a reputation of being hard to grow, when in reality following a few easy care tips can give you beautiful roses. Producing rose buds and flowers takes a lot of energy from a rose bush and, therefore, your rose bush needs to be supplied with extra nutrients. One of the best, and easiest, sources of some of the extra nutrition and minerals your rose bushes require is Epsom salt.

At Planting Time

Step 1

Soak the roots of your rose bush in a mixture of 1/2 cup Epsom salt dissolved in one gallon water before planting your rose bush.

Step 2

Leave the roots to soak in this solution for a few hours or overnight. The Epsom salt mixture will help the roots recover quickly from the stress of transplanting.

Step 3

Add one tablespoon of Epsom salt granules in the bottom of the hole you plan to plant your rose bush in before placing the root ball into the hole. Then proceed to plant your rose bush as you normally would.

Step 4

Work into the soil surface surrounding your newly planted rose bush one half cup Epsom salt granules. This added soil supplement will encourage growth of new canes and give the bush extra nutrition to establish itself quicker after transplanting.

Established Rose Bushes

Step 1

Calculate the height, in feet, of each of your rose bushes.

Step 2

Scatter Epsom salt granules around the base of each rose bush one tablespoon per foot of rose bush height.

Step 3

Repeat Step 2 every two weeks throughout the growing season for a bounty of healthy rose blooms.