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Using Grass clippings as a mulch on Roses

suffolk_blondesuffolk_blonde Posts: 52
in Plants
Hi all, I moved some roses earlier in the year and they don't look best happy, one has flowered out of six but all have small and not a great deal of leaves - which I believe could be a lack of nitrogen, I've read using glass clippings as  a mulch may help, has anyone done used grass clippings on roses and do you use the grass clippings direct or let me them dry out for a period of time first?

Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I use grass clippings as mulch around a lot of plants, but not roses.  I use it as a weed suppressant, so put down newspaper or cardboard first. Typically I put it down wet from the bagger on my lawnmower, as it sort of holds better and forms a crust that the wind doesn't blow around.  I've done it dried before too.. but usually wet it down a bit to help hold it in place.  

    If you think it's nitrogen, then probably some sort of liquid feed would be better.  I don't think much would get into the soil from grass clippings until they rot down over the winter.

    Have you been feeding them this summer?  What size root all did you take when transplanting?  Lots of extra water via a hose pipe this summer as well?  Post up a few images for us to see.
    Utah, USA.
  • suffolk_blondesuffolk_blonde Posts: 52
    Thanks for replying, these were my old neighbour's Rose's who sadly passed away, my new neighbour who purchased the house was planning on concrete over them so kindly allowed me to move them, I didn't move all the Rose's that was in the garden just six put of about eleven - as didn't have space with hindsight  I should moved less as it is a bit crowded where I've moved them.

     The Rose's are south facing and I live in Scotland so watering is not a problem, I've been feeding once a week but did miss out a feed for and weeding for a couple of weeks, I moved most of the roots when moving. My new neighbour decided not to get the work done after all and I checked out the remaining roses today and a couple did not look in good condition, I could have potentially moved some already in poor condition.  Think I'm going to try a feed made from nettles for the rest of the summer. Have you tried creating a liquid feed from grass clippings?
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    No.. just the traditional nettles back in the U.K.  I've thought about trying a manure tea, as that is available locally.. but haven’t got around to it in the past seven years.  I feed my roses with slow release pellets in the spring and again in the summer when they are flowering.  My veg is grown organically.. but since I don't eat the roses.. 
    Utah, USA.
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