"Gail Futoran" wrote in message ...
Re feeding: It's usually recommended that you
not feed a rose until it is showing new growth
after planting. How is the watering situation?
Are the roses getting enough water? Most
sources recommend deep watering once weekly,
but I found out the hard way that doesn't work
when roses are planted in raised beds and
temps are into the 100s!

Is there proper drainage? Roses need lots of
water, but their roots don't like standing in
water. You can do an easy soil dampness test
by sticking your finger in the soil about an inch
or two. If it's still really wet, don't water for
awhile. If it's really dry, water.

Gail
near San Antonio TX Zone 8

Thanks for the reply Gail.

As far a watering, We live in Michigan. The weather here lately has
been almost monsoon. It has rained almost 8.5 inches this past May (a
State record by the way) and it has rained 6 out of the past 10 days
this month. The few days that it hasen't rained it has been in the
mid 90's but like last night it dropped into the lower 50's and it was
rainy and 65 today.

As far as drainage, the bed is on top of an approx. 2 foot hill so I
know that water isn't just standing but I do also know that the wife
is watering all of her plants (how often I don't know).

I will see her this weekend (we work opposit shifts) and ask her some
questions about what she is doing.

thanks again,
Ron