I've planted my roses...now what?

[nmd12851]

I've recently purchased and planted several hybrid tea roses. I'm aware that I need to deadhead and prune in early spring....but when do I first fertilize them? and how often?

[The Helpful Gardener]

That depends on what you are using for fertilizer. I like organic fertilizers with lower assays; I can feed whenever I feel like it with little fear of burning, and I don't have to worry about polluting the nearby waterways with soluable nitrogens. Try Osmocote time released fertilizer and you can do it once and forget it for the season...

Scott

[Guest]

Thanks a lot. I wasn't using any fertilizer!