Is Cow Manure Good for Roses? Which Ones, When, and How Much

In my enthusiasm for the best roses throughout my rose-growing journey, I’ve tried lots of ways to get the best blooms and the most healthy roses possible. One of those was using cow manure. So is cow manure good for roses?

That’s what I’m going to go through in this article. So read on and hear me talk all about cow manure…. yep!

Let’s start with the summary answer, then we’ll get on to more details…

In short, cow manure is great for roses! It’s high in nitrogen which helps promote leaf growth, and it also adds organic matter to the soil which helps with drainage and aeration. However, you need to be careful not to use too much cow manure as it can burn the roots of your roses.

But as usual, across the numerous compost topics that I’ve written about for roses, there are additional questions such as why, when should you use cow manure, how much to use, and more!

---

---

So… is cow manure good for roses?

There are two primary reasons cow manure and roses go together.

• The first is that it contains a lot of nitrogen. Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plants, and it helps promote leaf growth.
• The second reason is that cow manure adds organic matter to the soil. This is beneficial for roses because it helps improve drainage and aeration while also providing a source of nutrients.

Which roses like cow manure?

All roses will like cow manure, whether they are hybrid tea roses, floribunda roses, or shrub roses. In general, organic matter is good for all plants, and that includes roses.

Although how you use cow manure for roses matters. we’ll go into how to use cow manure for established roses and new roses shortly.

When to use cow dung for roses

The best time to use cow manure on roses is in Spring before new growth begins.

Applying cow manure in early Spring is better – as soon as you can work the ground.

This is because it takes a while for the nitrogen to be released into the soil. Adding during Fall can also be beneficial because it allows time for the fertilizer to settle in over the winter period.

Where possible, be sure to add it at least 6 weeks before the first frost to give the roses time to absorb the nutrients.

How often should you use cow manure for roses?

How often you apply cow dung to your roses really depends on the age of the rose, the time of year, and the condition of the soil.

If you have healthy soil, then you probably don’t need to add cow manure as often. However, if you have poor soil, then you may need to add it more frequently.

You shouldn’t really need to use it much past spring and early summer. And adding once a month seems more than enough to me.

How to use cow manure for roses

When using cow manure as compost, you should mix it with other organic matter such as leaves or grass clippings.

This will help to balance out the nutrients and improve the drainage.

You can also add cow dung directly to the soil around your roses. However, it is important not to use too much as this can burn the roots. This is the case with any type of fertilizer.

It is best to err on the side of caution and use less manure than you think you need, then add more if necessary.

How much cow manure to use for roses

The amount of cow manure you use will depend on the type of rose, the age of the plant, and the time of year.

• For established roses, you can simply apply a 1-2 inch layer of cow manure around the base of the plant.
• Do not use cow manure on newly planted roses as this can damage the roots.

If you are using cow manure as a fertilizer, you can mix it with water and apply it to the leaves.

The ratio of cow manure to the soil

So you might find you don’t need to get much for it to go a long way,

When using cow manure as compost, you should mix it in with the soil at a ratio of 1 part manure to 10 parts soil. (Cow manure – 1:10 – Parts soil).

So for example, if you have 2 cups of cow manure, you would mix it with 20 cups of soil.

If you are using cow manure as fertilizer, then you can apply it more liberally. If that’s the case, then a general rule of thumb is to use 1 cup per 10 square feet.

Pros and cons of using cow manure on roses

Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of using cow manure on your roses.

Is cow manure good for roses? Yes, but not all of us have access to pure cow manure. So what alternatives are there to using cow manure.

And cow dung is ok, but here’s my favorite manure.

Alternatives to cow manure

If you’re concerned about using cow manure on your roses, there are other options such as composted manure or organic fertilizers.

There are other organic options available, such as horse manure, chicken manure, or even your own urine …yes I wrote about that too!

• Horse manure is a great alternative to cow manure. It contains more nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium than cow manure, making it ideal for roses.
• Chicken manure is also a great alternative to cow manure. It’s high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which makes it ideal for roses.
• Urine is also a great source of nitrogen for roses. But before you go out and urinate on your roses be sure to read my guide on using it.

If you cannot find these naturally outdoors, then you can often obtain them from local garden centers.

Chemical fertilizers

You can also use factory fertilizers, but they may not be as effective or as healthy for the environment as the organic alternatives.

Here’s a link to cow manure fertilizer on amazon. Or check out your local garden center.

See also my recommended tools and resources page for more options. 

Is cow manure good for roses ~ More roses help 🌹

I hope this has helped answer the question – is cow manure good for roses. So go out and find some helpful cows!

Don’t like cow dung? Then you might want to explore my other similar articles about what you can add to boost your roses: