We Want To Dig Up Our Azaleas And Plant Roses….
Kathy Asked
We want to dig up our azaleas and plant roses. Do we need to do anything to the soil before we plant the roses?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Kathy: The first thing to consider would be the amount of sunlight that this area receives. Azaleas can handle morning sun but prefer to be shaded from the hot afternoon sun. Roses, on the other hand, will take as much sun as they can get. They require a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight; eight or more would be ideal. So as long as this space is a good environment for roses to thrive, it would be a good time of the year to get them in the ground. As for the soil, you can always have your soil tested through your County Cooperative Extension Service for a minimal fee. The results will indicate if you need to amend the soil. If you have not added anything to the soil in a couple years, it certainly would not hurt to do so. After you remove the azaleas, you can work compost into the soil before planting your roses. Mr. Natural has a line of amendments made for the home gardener that are bagged and easy to handle. You can call around to your local garden centers to see what they carry in terms of amending your soil. Really the best thing to do would be to have your soil tested to know exactly what you need to add, if anything.
