How to Plant a Rose Bed

Choose an area in your yard that receives full sun and is well-drained. Do not choose an area at the bottom of a hill that collects water during rainfall.

Test the soil using a soil test kit. A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is preferred by roses, according to University of Illinois Extension. Use the results of the test to amend your soil accordingly.

Apply 2 to 4 inches of organic matter before tilling to improve the tilth of the soil and 1/2 lb. of superphosphate to the soil for each bushel of organic matter, recommends the University of Illinois Extension.

Decide how many rose bushes you are going to plant and what cultivar you are going to plant. Rose bushes need to be spaced at least 24 inches apart to allow for growth. Decide whether you are going to purchase roses already blooming in a container or barefoot roses. Barefoot roses are wrapped in packages and their roots need to soak in water with a root-stimulating solution the night before planting, suggests Martha Stewart.

Dig a hole twice the size of the root system. Backfill the hole to 2/3 full, add water so the soil will get in between the roots, being careful not to tamp the soil, suggests the University of Illinois Extension. Once the water has drained, finish adding soil to the hole and water deeply. Water the roses to a depth of 18 inches during the growing season, as recommended by the National Gardening Association. This amount includes rainwater.

Apply a 3-inch layer of mulch in the rose bed, making sure the mulch isn't touching the stems of the bushes. The mulch will retain moisture, help with proper drainage and prevent weeds from growing in your rose bed. Mulch such as pine needles, bark or wood chips will enhance the look of your rose bed.

Fertilize with a rose fertilizer of 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 at about 1/2 to one cup per plant, suggests the University of Illinois Extension. Scatter the fertilizer around the rose bush 6 inches away from the stem to 18 inches, working it in lightly, and water the area well so the fertilizer can feed all of the roots. Fertilize at the beginning of the growing season before roses are set to bloom and again during mid-season. However, the type of rose bushes you have chosen determines how many times you fertilize during the season. Read the instructions on the manufacturer's label for information.