I Have Knock Outs And Floral Carpet Roses. I Want…
Liz Asked
I have Knock Outs and Floral Carpet roses. I want to expand to larger blooming roses with sweet smells and I don’t know when to plant. When should I prepare the soil and get them in the ground for next summer, and what’s the best soil conditioning method?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Liz: The best time to plant is during the fall. September and October are ideal since the soil temperatures are still warm, encouraging root growth, but the air temperatures are not too hot or cold. This allows enough time for the roses to get their roots settled before the winter arrives. Planting during the cooler fall months will require less water than planting other times of the year. Spring is a fine time to plant as well, but if Mother Nature does not provide enough moisture it will be more maintenance on your part. Soil temperatures are cooler during the spring months so it will take a bit longer for your spring planting to become established, making the hot dry summer months a bit more stressful. The fall planted roses will have more of an established root system, making them more prepared to handle the stress of the summer months. As far as preparing the soil, August is certainly a good time to get your beds ready for fall planting. As Kentucky gardeners we are blessed with lovely clay soil. In some cases, especially in new construction areas, we need to amend the soil so that air and water can freely pass through. This will depend on how compact your soil is, but adding an expanded slate material such as PermaTill will help to break up the clay and improve drainage. Adding hen manure or worm castings is a wonderful way to enrich the soil. You might check with Crane Landscaping to see what they carry since they are closer to you, but I know The Plant Kingdom on Westport Road in St. Matthews carries Mr. Natural products that are wonderful soil amendments. They also carry soil conditioner that can be used as mulch and will eventually work its way into the soil. These products can be worked into the soil using a pitch fork or a spade. It is best not to use a tiller since the earthworms will not survive and they are an important makeup of the soil. You can always have your soil tested through the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service for a small fee. Remember not to fertilize your roses if your plant them in the fall. This will encourage leafy growth that can be damaged by the upcoming frost and cold winter temperatures.
