Nothing that says "soil". You want a potting "mix" for containers, they are lighter. Soils are too compact in containers.

ditto on what diane said...

Would your basic non fertilized potting mix from menards be fine. Add fertilizer on my own?

Couldn't find the pro mix. I was thinking of adding something to make mix more porous. So water doesn't make mix to mushy. Improve the drainage. But I'm not sure how much of what to add. Can I go without adding manure/compost mix and just add liquid fertilizer with plenty of water every couple weeks? Adding water several times throughout? Again this is for roses in container.

Getting my white containers delivered today. Now I just have to wait a few more weeks til orders get shipped to zone 4.

How big of a container are we talking and how many containers? I have a rose standard that I have in a pot and I used Lady Bug Rose Soil and it has grown like a beast, not sure if you can get it where you are as it is a Texas thing, but I am certain you can find a good rose soil. My potted plants-non roses- are all just planted up in a nice thick potting mix/soil mix. My issue with a lot of potting mixes, is that they are just too light and fluffy, especially if you are planting something that gets any kind of height. I stay away from Miracle gro potting mix, I love their ferts and have had good experiences with their soil, but their potting mix stuff just feels like you are planting in saw dust and cardboard. There are some potting mixes that are nice and black with a lot of organic matter and such mixed in that I like straight out of the bag, but most I have to mix with soil as I just don't like how fluffy it is and seems to dry out way to quick in the Texas heat. A good rose soil though is what I recommend for container roses. Obviously YMMV.

I have 6-ten gallon containers

Yes, you can use the potting mix without fertilizer, in fact, that is preferred.

I use a prepared mix of bark fines and garden soil. It's really nice and dark.

Carol

Interesting combo Carol...

I've been very happy with Menards Master Gardener premium. The roses seem to love it.

I'm happy to read that menards brand has worked well for you. I might have to go that route. Unless I come across pro mix. Found it last year. This year I couldn't unless I didn't look carefully enough. Sometimes stuff is tucked away in some corner. Can't buy it if they don't show it. Rest of goodies I'm ordering from heirloom roses. Odd question I know, but does the ice cold water from hose effect plants. I live close to a lake. I wonder if lake water has any nutrient benefit, algae etc?

If I wanted to make a looser mix, is it ok to add shredded bark or similar? Guessing it won't make much difference.

If I had to choose, I'd get the "soil with manure", and mix in some other things to lighten it up for use in pots. Try starting out with this -- 2 parts "soil with manure", 2 parts peat moss, 1 part vermiculite, 1 part perlite. Mix that in a wheelbarrow, throw in some organic dry fertilizer like Espoma Garden Tone, and you'll be good to go. Be sure that you give newly potted roses a good soaking after using this mix, since the peat moss takes a while to absorb water when starting out dry.

:-)

~Christopher

If the soil manure is coming from Menards you may wish to try just 1 bag first. The stuff is terrible. Just thought I'd share that with you.

I located some pro mix all purpose growing mix. $13.97 for 4 cf loose. I will get three bales next week. My white Rubbermaid 10 gal containers just arrived. Look to be perfect for year one of my bare root roses, once they arrive May 12. Oh the wait. At least it's not January.

Whatever you use Christian I'm wishing you much success with your roses! :-)

Any good quality potting mix works fine. It doesn't matter if it has fertilizer or moisture control or what ever. As long as it's potting soil. You just have to adjust your fertilizing to suit the soil you get. Stay away from anything that says garden soil or top soil. You want POTTING mix.

Christain Exactly what Christopher, Aqua Eyes, told you to do is what I was going to tell you to do. I bought some garden soil this year because it was half the price, and added some compost/ manure, peat moss and perlite. I didn't have any vermiculite, so used what I had. Also added some bone meal and just a tad blood meal. It is working great! Good luck!

I love to use plain 100 organic compost from home depot comes in 3 cubic foot for $10

My sister in law has a bunch of rabbit manure, which I read is very good and doesn't burn.

Yeah, rabbit manure is a cold fertilizer and will not burn.

Christian be sure that mix is thoroughly wet as peat, like Christopher said, will repel water like Teflon. Trying filling container half way and watering then mixing until peat is thoroughly incorporated and moist. Might want to have one entire container full of moist custom mix to add once plant is added.

Susan