I’m in zone 8, Willamette Valley of Oregon, for reference. Couple more weeks and fall rains should start coming in. O/N temps have been high 40’s last couple nights.
I need to put down something besides “compost” for the winter. I will put down alfalfa pellets, for sure, but what else? My soil needs more nitrogen, I know this, I’d like it to have the winter to be worked in by nature, so it’s ready for the plants growth in spring. I have slow release products, and ‘natural’ products, that have a low(er) N value; I am reluctant to do something that will encourage much green new growth this time of year. Our first frost, honestly it could be anywhere from early October to sometime in November.
I have on hand: MooOrganite 5-1-1 (recycled dairy and chicken manure); Milorganite 6-4-0 (composted municipal waste); Nutri-Rich pellets 4-3-2 (derived from poultry waste, 7% CA). Along with alfalfa pellets.
I also have blood meal but I think that’s a little too much this time of year.
I guess my question is, are any of these products likely to cause too much growth this far into the season?
Your roses are slowing down and so are your soil microbes. It is not really necessary to apply any type of additional fertilizer. A good wood mulch can be applied after your second frost. Next spring, once you see your leaves growing vigorously, then start adding all the good fertilizers you have. Also, try to contact a local ARS rose society and see what they recommend for your area. This advice varies depending on your climate.
I live on the other side of the state from you on the coast. With the amount of winter rain we get it is a complete waste of time, effort and money to apply anything other than compost this time of year. The rain will leach all the nitrogen out anyway. In late winter or early spring begin applying your nitrogen products. Your roses are not going to be growing in the winter. They don’t need anything now but a good clean up and a little compost.
I live in Vancouver, WA. I don’t put down any nutrients now, because I do not want new grow. I want them to rest. I only put good mulch 6" up their crown to protect from freezing. Then in early spring I add all the organics.