Rose soil: Mix soil for roses yourself

Mixing substrate for roses yourself is not difficult. Only a few tools and components are required, which are easy to obtain.

needs of the roses

When roses are replanted, they impose certain conditions on the soil in which they are placed. There shouldn't have been any roses in the place where the roses are to be planted, the soil is exhausted and diseases could spread. The rose needs a permeable soil that does not dry out too quickly and is rich in humus and nutrients. Only then will the rose grow and bloom particularly persistently and luxuriantly. The correct pH is either neutral or slightly acidic.

The new substrate

Of course, the soil can be replaced, it is easier to look for a new place and just improve the substrate there. The situation is different with roses that are planted in pots. This substrate is completely remixed if you don't want to buy rose soil or just use any potting soil.

Composition of rose soil

Commercial rose soil consists of different components that depend on the manufacturer. Mostly included are:

• compost or peat
• volume
• fertilizer
• minerals

Mix rose soil yourself

Making potting soil suitable for roses is not difficult. All you have to do is mix the necessary ingredients together in the right proportions. However, there are different options, depending on whether the plants are potted or bed roses.

With fertilizer or without?

It seems natural to fertilize roses when they are planted. Purchased rose soil almost always contains a long-term fertilizer that supplies the flowers with nutrients for several weeks.
However, it is not so easy to say whether this makes sense. A rose that you plant yourself should initially grow well and an extensive one Form root system, which the plant with nutrients and water even in lean and dry times can supply. For this reason, it is better not to fertilize the rose plant initially, or only a little, then the roots will have to grow longer and more branched in search of nutrients.

work equipment

What is needed to make the substrate depends on the amount being mixed. A bucket is enough for single roses. If an entire bed of roses is to be equipped with new substrate or if there are many balcony plants, a larger mason's bucket will do its job. Other necessary tools:

• shovel or hand shovel
• something to mix it up, a stick or an old wooden spoon for example
• Measuring cup, scale or smaller container to measure individual ingredients

Individual components and their meaning

topsoil or garden soil

There is enough normal garden soil in almost every garden, unless it is a completely new plant. Then topsoil can be obtained from various sources, such as a garden supply store. In your own garden, simply use the top layer of soil.

clay or clay

Since sandy soil stores nutrients and water poorly, it is upgraded with clay or loam. In loamy soils, the addition of additional clay is not necessary. Clay soil is available from building material suppliers.

Small grain bark mulch

Bark mulch can be helpful to improve the soil structure, especially if the soil is rather calcareous and needs to be acidified. It is important that the mulch has a very small grain size. Bark mulch is available from sawmills or garden stores.

compost

Well-rotted compost or manure gives the plants the nutrients they need. They are delivered evenly over a longer period of time. Compost is best obtained from your own garden. An alternative are public composting facilities.

rock flour

Primary rock flour improves the mineral composition and strengthens the plants. Rock flour is available from garden centers or online retailers.

lime

Lime addition only makes sense if the pH is in the low range and the soil is too acidic for roses. You can buy lime in hardware stores or garden stores.

Instructions for making bucket soil

1. The main ingredient is garden soil or topsoil, which is filled into the bucket or a larger container.
2. One part compost or decomposed manure is mixed with three parts garden soil.
3. Substances for soil improvement, i.e. clay or lime, are now worked in. Here, too, one part to three parts of garden soil.
4. Enough bark mulch is added to give the soil a loose, airy structure. The bark mulch improves the water storage capacity.
5. Finally, mix all the rose soil with some rock flour. Since minerals only need to be present in trace amounts, two tablespoons per 10 liter bucket is sufficient.
6. The self-made substrate is filled into the tubs and the roses are used.

Instructions for bed roses

Making potting soil for bed roses yourself is a bit more time-consuming, but can be done directly on site. The effort is worth it, as the roses are then supplied with minerals and nutrients for a long time.

1. The size of the rose bed is staked out and the topsoil is dug up. Since the planting holes for roses must be deep enough so that the roots are not kinked, a depth of up to 40 cm can be assumed.
2. Lay out a tarp next to the bed and pile the topsoil on it.
3. Mix the garden soil with compost. Here, too, the rough mixing ratio is one part compost to three parts garden soil.
4. Loosen the soil of the bed and mix with bark mulch. If the bed is threatened by voles, it makes more sense to spread rabbit wire on the substrate. The bark mulch is then mixed into the topsoil.
5. If necessary, incorporate soil conditioner and some rock dust.
6. Place the roses in the bed. Fill in the soil all around and press down a little. Finally, water the roses well.

Learn more about roses