Rose Food on Garden Veges - Ask Extension
Is it OK to use rose food on garden vegetables? Particularly tomatoes, butternut squash, corn and basil?
Knowledgebase
Rose Food on Garden Veges #903007
Asked May 26, 2025, 6:43 PM EDT
Is it OK to use rose food on garden vegetables? Particularly tomatoes, butternut squash, corn and basil?
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
Rose fertilizer can be beneficial for a multitude of other plants, especially during the active growing season. However, some of these fertilizers have built in systemic pesticides which would not be appropriate for edible plants. It can be used on other plants when its high nitrogen content and other nutrient profiles meet the specific needs of those plants, especially acid-loving varieties. Some garden plants do not do as well with the high nitrogen. They may grow too fast and be wimpy. It is good to have a soil test to see what is available and what is lacking then compare that to what the rose fertilizer offers that plant.
