Replenishing a pot's soil

Replenishing a Pot's Soil

Roses are hungry plants that use up the nutrients in a container within one growing season. It's helpful to replenish the soil annually, either in spring or autumn.

Removing the top 10 inches of old compost and replacing it with fresh compost gives roses in pots the energy they need to flower well season after season. This also reduces stress due to lack of nutrients or moisture, which can create further problems with pests like aphids.

This method of soil rejuvenation applies to any pots (not just rose pots) that have permanent plants in them.

The Tools for the Job

Use a claw rake to loosen the top layer of soil and a trowel to remove it, or you can use your hands. Remove all the loose soil from around the base of the plant. This helps aerate the soil, as old soil can become compacted over time. Once the top 8 inches of soil have been removed, level the soil to prepare for fresh compost.

The New Compost

If you're on a budget, you can use organic farmyard manure alone for this task, like Vitax 6x Natural Feed & Soil Conditioner. But since we're adding bulbs too, I recommend mixing in Melcourt's John Innes No. 3 with the manure. This will help the soil drain better. Apply half of each product and mix it with your hands, filling to 5 inches below the rim of the pot.

Moisture-Retentive Pellets

If you're away often or don't have an automatic irrigation system, wool pellets are a great product to add. These help the soil retain more moisture, keeping the roots happier for longer. Apply 50g of pellets per litre of compost. I'm using Wooltiliser from Traditional Garden Growers.

A Job for Autumn or Spring

This is an ideal job for spring or autumn when your roses are dying down. It ensures your roses will have a long and happy life. In summer, you can also give the soil a weekly boost with a seaweed feed or a rose tonic to support flowering.