Planting

• To fertilize new rose bushes, mix crushed egg shells into the excavated soil at the planting site. The shells are an excellent source of calcium, a nutrient that helps new roots grow. Breaking the shells into small pieces encourages the even distribution of the material through the soil and accelerates the rate of decomposition.
  
  

Spring Fertilization

• Each spring, before the start of the seasonal growth spurt, fertilize established rose bushes with an Epsom salt solution. Add 1 tbsp. of Epsom salts to 1 gallon of water and stir until the granules are totally dissolved and then pour the solution around the base of the shrub. Alternatively, sprinkle 1 tbsp. of Epsom salts around the plant and then add water. As the Epsom salts dissolve, they release vital nutrients, such as magnesium and iron, into the soil bolstering plant growth and promoting the development of new shoots.
  
  

Summer Fertilization

• Once a month for the duration of the growing season, scatter used coffee grounds around the foundation of the rose bushes. Coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, potassium and magnesium, which are nutrients roses use in abundance. In addition, coffee grounds are acidic, and they tend to lower the pH of the surrounding soil, improving the growing conditions for acid-loving rose bushes. To put old grounds to good use, spread them over a sheet of newspaper each morning, rather than tossing them out and then set them in a sunny spot and let them dry. Collect the dry grounds and place them in a food-grade plastic storage bag until it is time to feed them to the shrubs.
  
  

Fall Fertilization

• Once the flowers begin to fade, prepare rose bushes for winter by surrounding the shrubs with a 4-inch layer of organic compost or well-rotted manure. These materials insulate the roots and protect them from the damaging effects of winter weather. Additionally, they break down slowly, enriching the soil and providing the plant with an ongoing source of essential nutrients.