🌹 Feeding Roses with Rotted Cow Manure

In short: Tammaru Farm’s cow manure, decomposed for 3+ years, feeds roses slowly and evenly and is gentler on roots than fresh manure.

  • Spring: a 2–5 cm layer around the bush
  • Late autumn: 5–10 kg per bush when mounding
  • Planting: up to 20% of the soil mix
  • 30 L bags, €5.50–9.00 per bag
  • Delivery in Tallinn and Harju County in 1–3 working days, or pick-up from Veerme 23 (on the Nõmme border)
  • Minimum 5 bags, or 1 bag together with firewood or briquettes

    Order: +372 52 388 52

Blooming garden roses fed with rotted cow manure – Tammaru Farm, Tallinn

Why rotted manure suits roses

– Gentler on roots than fresh manure – during decomposition the risk of scorching caused by ammonia decreases
– Improves soil structure and water retention, which matters for roses in dry spells
– Feeds beneficial soil microorganisms
– Nutrients are released gradually throughout the summer

How to use rotted manure in a rose bed

In spring: spread a 2–5 cm layer of rotted manure around the rose bush and gently mix it into the topsoil.
In early summer: add a thin layer before the roses’ second flowering.
In late autumn (mounding): spread 5–10 kg of rotted manure around the bush. In spring, spread the heap out and lightly dig it in.
Planting rate: according to the Luua Forestry School fertilisation guide, 10–30 kg/m² in the soil mix.

⚠️ What to avoid

– Do not use fresh, unmatured manure around roses
– Do not heap rotted manure directly against the rose’s woody root collar
– Do not exceed the rates – even well-rotted manure should be used in moderation

Planting new roses with rotted manure

– Dig the planting hole and mix up to 20% rotted manure into the existing soil
– Make sure the plant’s roots do not touch the fertiliser layer directly – put a thin layer of ordinary garden soil in between
– Fill the hole with the soil mix, firm it lightly and water thoroughly

📌 Rotted manure and mineral fertiliser in rose growing

Duration of effect: rotted manure – long-lasting and even; mineral fertiliser – fast but short-lived.
Soil improvement: rotted manure adds organic matter and improves soil structure; mineral fertiliser provides nutrients only.
Dosing: mineral fertiliser is more concentrated and needs more precise dosing; rotted manure is gentler, but you need more of it by volume.
Origin: rotted manure is natural and organic; mineral fertiliser is synthetic.

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Q&A: Feeding roses with rotted manure
How much rotted manure should I give a rose?
In spring, a 2–5 cm layer around the bush; in late autumn when mounding, 5–10 kg per bush; at planting, 10–30 kg/m² in the soil mix.
When should I feed roses with rotted manure?
In spring before growth starts, in early summer before the second flowering, and in late autumn when mounding.
Can rotted manure damage rose roots?
Manure that has decomposed for 3+ years is gentler than fresh manure, because its ammonia content falls during decomposition. Even so, it should be used in moderation and not heaped against the root collar. Fresh, unmatured manure must not be used around roses.
How many bags do I need for a rose bed?
One 30 L bag weighs 20–25 kg and is enough for planting about 2–4 roses. Late-autumn mounding of ten bushes takes 2–5 bags.

🌸 Well-matured cow manure is a simple way to support rose flowering and keep the soil healthy.

➡️ See more, check prices and order

Order: +372 52 388 52

Updated: 18 October 2026