Hi Ann, I do a little of both ways. First I'll mention that if there is any wildlife in your area particularly raccoons or dogs. Don't use bone meal they'll shred the rose roots digging for it. I would not use the high phosphate without a soil test. I get my meals from MillsMix the shipping is free and I've got a lot to feed. Besides the roses the other plants like it as well (hosta, clematis, daylilies and perennials). I just sprinkle less around the perennials. By the way these other ingredients contain phosphates anyway.
From Millsmix
Fish meal
Alfalfa meal
Cottonseed meal
Jersey Green Sand
For nitrogen I get milorganite from Menards it's a slow release nitrogen that won't burn your plants. I may sprinkle that on early in spring and again early summer.
Epsom Salts
Be warned thou this is incredibly messy. I mix mine in extra garbage cans that I have from when I used to do tea for the plants.
I also use a mask when mixing if you try it you'll understand. Takes an ultimate rose lover to do this I swear it makes me feel like a nut. Oh well they love it. Make sure to scratch it in I skipped this part last year and it forms a hard crusty mat on the ground.
The rest of the year I use a hose end sprayer and they get Neptunes Fish and Seaweed fertilizer. Also have used SeaCom from Johnnys Seeds. These last two are much easier to do. The roses, daylilies, clematis and hosta love it! I apply once a month thru Sept. and it goes a long way.
I'd really like to skip the meals if I could find another way. Most every other organic fert. that would enrich the soil is to expensive for me to use. If your garden is smaller the plant tone fertilizers are great especially with your moo poo tea.
