I think you probably didn't need to do all that work, but I have to say as a wife, I would have loved you dearly for it. So even if it was a wee bit too much for the roses (which should be fine), it was a lot of kindness and work for your wife. She should bloom well for for you. =)

I enjoy planting, but after 20 or so it got to be a chore. The hardest part was carting away the extra soil.

Just wondering if we'll get any color this year.

Also (FWIW), these were planted amongst other perennials, not in a cutting garden. We have lots of Knock-out roses that have done fanstastic for the past 2 seasons.

I believe the compost and peat you put in the bottom of a 24" deep hole is wasted. The tiny feeder roots on roses and most other plants stay within the top 6 inches of soil. Those roots deeper than that are anchor roots. A deep hole is good in that it allows drainage. Water draining deep into the soil pulls oxygen with it. The roots need oxygen. I try to mix compost and organics with the soil I pull into the hole that will stay closer to the surface.
Just loosening the soil that deeply will help the plants though.

Those roses better appreciate you--mine don't get treated that nicely! Although you probably did more than you needed to, that is certainly better than under-doing it.

One question: you planted all those roses now? In hot summer? In my Zone 6, I normally do not plant potted plants any later than May because I want them to develop good roots before hot weather comes. You may have to do a lot of watering the next month to keep those little things from drying out. Can you find some way to shade them for a few weeks? They will need it.

It may take a month or two before you see a lot of growth and buds/blooms. I'm not sure how that works when you plant in the middle of the hot summer, but the main thing is to get the roots growing so that the roses survive until next spring--at which time they should take off like crazy.

Good luck--I'm in great admiration of your stamina.

: )

Kate

In a heavy clay soil, a deep hole can be a recipe for the bathtub effect. Yes, there will be good drainage in the sense that water can move all the way down to the bottom of the hole. But, if you get lots of water and the soil is clay, the water can be stuck there for long periods - and that is poor drainage and the bathtub effect.

Having got that off my chest, I'd say your roses should do just fine in your sandy soil. You maybe did more work than was necessary.

We have very, very sandy soil in most parts of Long Island (including where I live).

If I go past the 6-8 inches of top soil its a beach. If you fill a 2 foot hole with water its usually gone in about 2-3 hours (hence the need for lots of organic matter/peat to hold the moisture).

I've got a good computer controlled irrigation system. There are four rose that are close to a walkway where I supplemented the hole with some TerraSorb because of the radiant heat effect.

Most of them are mixed into a 125' long perennial bed (I didn't do that one myself) that was planted about a month ago, so I'm watering that zone every other day. I check the soil every few days to make sure its not too wet or dry (its very hard to overwater with my soil composition).

Best to follow Heirloom's directions--if there is a problem you can say you followed their directions to the letter.

Hopefully those little plants can make it through the winter. It's a bit late in the season already.

You've gone above and beyond the call of duty. Your wife needs to send you flowers!

I'm sure your roses will love all the special attention you have given them. I too planted a few in the ground and did my best to go by their directions. I am shading mine with lawn chairs to keep the hot sun off of them hoping not to fry them. So far they look great. I too am anxious to see some blooms but I guess I will have to wait til next spring. Good luck with all your new babies and kudos to you for all your hard work. Can't wait to see pictures of them. Judy

One thing I would add is to make sure the other plants are not arching over and shading the new roses. I have planted many roses just the way you did, there is a fifteen foot wide mound of dirt that developed from the holes that have been dug. Just make sure to keep them well watered and do not use anything other than miracle grow fertilizer the rest of this growing season. Miracle grow is a short term fertilizer and wears off shortly after you stop using it.

If you are in a zone below 8 I would not use any fertilizer of any kind this year. You will get a few blooms if you do not pinch the buds off to encourage more top growth and roots.

Lance

You did a lot. I bet your roses are going to be great. I would get down and kiss the ground if my husband did all that for me:)

Although I don't know about your zone I have planted Heirloom Roses during summer or fall. In fact I planted a Benjamin Britten yesterday from Heirloom. Just keep them watered and looked after and winter protect as you normally would. I second the idea of being careful about feeding though. You don't want your new babies getting all perky only for mean ole man winter to slap them down. I would not expect much in the way of flowers this year. Just look for healthy growth and let the roses develop their roots and the show should begin in the spring.

Hope this helps.

Kate

you certainly done more than i would have. your once bloomers will not bloom until next spring, but if you keep them watered well i think you will see a few blooms from some of them this year.

I'm in zone 6a on Long Island. I think I'm going to skip feeding this year; there is plenty of "food" in the soil with Healthy Start & BioPlex and about 1 cubic foot of compost per plant.

No worries about piles of dirt in the way, I hauled it all away, one 5 gallon bucket at a time.

I actually noticed some new growth on the ones that went in the ground a week ago.

Of the 30, they are all supposed to be repeat bloomers (except one variety, I can't remember which).

How do you prepare these roses for winter; we trim the Knock-outs down quite a bit (probably about 50%). I'm thinking of putting perennial hoops over them so they don't get trampled by a kid or during fall cleanup.

I don't know where your Zone 6 is, but in my Z6 (Kansas) I don't do any winter preparation or protection. Of course, two sides of the back yard have oak trees in my neighbors' yards, so oak leaves can blow all over my gardens. I guess that gives some minimal protection. The only time I really worry about my roses is in early spring--temps can warm up and then freeze, then warm up and freeze again--that is what is hard on the roses. There have been some early spring nights when a freeze was predicted when all the sheets and towels in the house were spread all over my plants. It's quite a sight to see in the morning. LOL

Kate

As you mentioned the perennial hoops are a great way to protect the new roses while they are small enough to get stepped on. The next best thing is a tall stake so no one including you will forget where the rose is planted. On this size of rose it is usually best to not cut them down hard in the fall.

Lance