If you get bare root plants shipped to you, what do you do then? Here are easy steps to care for your bare root plants.
Gardening on a budget can be daunting; it’s not always feasible to buy full-grown plants at the nursery, which are often more expensive. Bare root plants – just as the name suggests – come to you in their most basic form – without any soil, just the roots exposed. Each growing season, for different varieties of trees and shrubs, individuals might have an opportunity to purchase this form of a plant from nurseries or online vendors.
Not only are these plants generally more cost-effective than their potted counterparts but they also adapt extremely well as long as you take good care of them during planting and for a few weeks afterwards. In this article we share tips on how to save money with bare root plants and ways to properly plant them so that your garden thrives. From which type of soil is beneficial for specific types of plants to when is the best time to plant trees if they’re bare rooted – there’s quite a bit involved when figuring out how to prepare your plot of land before planting. We also cover whether you need pre-soaking before planting plus answer questions like how long you can store bare root plants prior to putting them in the ground and more. Finally, we provide some insight into how caring for newly planted bare root trees should be approached once they’re in the earth.
How Do You Plant Bare Root Plants?
Planting bare root plants is an economical way to have lush green trees on your property. It requires a few steps to ensure the plant will be successful in its new environment.
The first step is to examine the roots and plant for any damage, such as broken branches or roots, and prune off any damaged parts. Then dig a hole that is two times wider than the spread of the root system so there’s enough room for it to grow. Place the root portion of the plant in water and let it soak before planting, this will help hydrate them after being stored at a temperature of around 32-42 degrees (the temperature of most fridges). Additionally, remove any grass within a three foot circular area where you plan on planting so that there won’t be competition for nutrients from other plants nearby.
Once you are ready to plant, make sure that you keep the roots moist at all times before and during planting by soaking them in water for about 30-60 minutes prior. When digging your hole make sure it is two or two-and-a-half times wider than what seems necessary as this will give plenty of space for growth over time without overcrowding other plants nearby. After placing your tree into its new home fill up with soil until just below ground level then lightly tamp down with your hands or feet so that no air pockets remain which could cause dry spots later on when watering.
Finally add mulch around your newly planted tree but not directly against its trunk as this can lead to rot due to lack of air flow between itself and surrounding materials like wood chips or bark pieces used in mulching projects. Make sure not too much pressure has been applied while tamping down soil either as this can compact it too tightly leading poor drainage which could lead death if left unchecked over time. With these tips, proper care,and patience you should have success when planting bare root trees.
Should Bare Root Plants Be Soaked Before Planting?
When planting bare root plants, it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure that they are properly cared for. Soaking the roots of a bare root plant before planting is an essential step in this process. This helps to ensure that the roots are moist and not frozen at any point during the planting process. It also allows for better absorption of water and nutrients by the plant once it has been planted.
The first step when preparing a bare root plant for planting is to soak its roots in tepid water for 30-60 minutes prior to placing them into their new soil home. This will help soften up any hard or dry parts of the roots, making them more pliable and easier to work with when digging a hole wide enough and deep enough for them without crowding them too much. After soaking, remove all packing material from around the roots before filling partway with potting mix, tapping it down lightly so as not to damage any delicate parts of the root system.
Once your newly planted bare root plant has been safely settled into its soil home, you can then choose a good quality mulch such as bark chips or wood chips and layer it around your plants at about two inches thick (or three inches if you live in an area where temperatures drop below freezing). Doing this helps keep moisture levels consistent throughout periods of drought or heavy rainfall while also helping protect against extreme temperatures which could otherwise harm your plants’ delicate systems. Additionally, spreading out dormant tree’s roots encourages outward growth which can help promote healthy growth overall over time if done correctly.
Finally, make sure that you keep your newly planted bare root plants well watered but do not overwater as this can lead to rot or other issues down the line due to poor drainage caused by too much moisture being held near their fragile systems. If possible try using rainwater instead of tap water whenever possible since rainwater tends be softer on sensitive plants than tap water does due its lack of chlorine content which can sometimes cause irritation on certain species.
How Long Can You Keep Bare Root Plants Before Planting?
Bare root plants can survive for 2-3 weeks or longer if they are kept in their original packaging and stored in a refrigerator or other frost-free and shaded location. If the plants start to grow, you will need to pot them up indoors until the danger of frost has passed. To extend the time before planting, you can use a method called “heeling in” which involves burying the roots of woody plants so that they remain dormant for up to a month.
When ready to plant, it is important that you dig a hole wide enough and deep enough so that there is no bending or crowding of the roots. Before planting, soak the plant’s roots in water for 30 minutes to an hour depending on whether it is woody or perennial type of plant. You should also select a shady site with good drainage as this will help prevent desiccation during storage. Additionally, keep your bare root perennials close but not below 32 degrees Fahrenheit until you are ready to plant them and keep them in their shipping bags until then too.
Finally, when transplanting bare root perennials into your garden beds make sure that all air pockets around its roots have been filled with soil by gently firming down around each one after placing it into its new home; this will ensure proper contact between soil particles and promote better growth once planted out properly. It may also be beneficial if mulch was used overtop these newly transplanted areas as well – this helps retain moisture levels throughout summer months while protecting against weeds at same time.
What Is The Best Time To Plant Bare Root Trees?
Planting bare-root trees is a great way to add lush greenery to your property without the higher cost of purchasing established trees. It is important, however, to keep in mind some specific guidelines in order maximize your chances for success and ensure that the tree gets off to a good start. The best time for planting bare-root trees is during the winter or early spring when the ground is damp and there’s more time for them to get established before they come into growth.
When choosing where you want to plant your tree, it’s essential that you select an appropriate site with well-draining soil. If you choose a location with water-saturated soil, this can lead to issues like root rot and other problems that can be difficult or impossible to fix later on down the line. Make sure that any area you are considering has plenty of sunlight as well as access to water so your tree will have what it needs in order thrive once planted.
Once you have chosen an ideal spot for planting, make sure that you prepare it properly by digging a hole twice as wide as necessary but no deeper than needed so as not create too much space between the roots and surface of the ground; this could cause instability which could result in damage or even death of your new tree if left unchecked over time. When filling back up around the roots after placing them into position within their new home, use only loose soil rather than compacted dirt; this will help promote healthy root growth while also providing better drainage which helps prevent overwatering from occurring due too poor absorption rates caused by compaction of soils around plants’ roots systems.
It’s also important not forget about mulching when planting bare root trees; adding organic materials such as bark chips or compost around newly planted specimens helps retain moisture levels within soils while also preventing weeds from competing against young saplings during their first few years growing season cycles – both very beneficial factors when trying establish strong foundations for long term health & vitality. Finally don’t forget about watering regularly throughout summer months especially if temperatures become particularly hot at any point throughout season – regular hydration goes long way towards keeping newly transplanted specimens happy until they become fully acclimated their environment.
How Do You Care For A Newly Planted Bare Root Tree?
Caring for a newly planted bare root tree requires some preparation and dedication. The first step is to soak the roots in water for at least two hours, but no longer than 24 hours. This helps to rehydrate the roots and prepare them for planting. After soaking the roots, it’s important to keep mulch at least three inches away from the trunk of the tree. This will help prevent rot or other damage that can occur when mulch is too close to a young tree’s trunk.
Once you have planted your new bare root tree, it needs regular watering in order to establish itself properly in its new environment. For young trees, water deeply every other day during their first two weeks after planting; then reduce watering frequency gradually over time until they are established enough that they only need weekly deep watering sessions throughout their first year of growth.
In addition to frequent deep-watering sessions during its early stages of growth, your newly planted bare root tree also needs protection from extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions such as strong winds or heavy rains which can cause stress on young trees before they become fully established in their environment. To protect against these elements you should consider using protective coverings such as burlap wraps around trunks or windbreaks near vulnerable branches if necessary depending on where your new tree is located and what kind of climate it will be exposed too regularly throughout its life cycle.
Finally, make sure that you monitor your newly planted bare root trees closely so that any signs of distress can be addressed quickly before any serious damage occurs due to inadequate care or environmental factors beyond our control like pests infestations or disease outbreaks which may require professional assistance if not caught early enough. With proper attention and care, your new bare rooted trees should thrive with minimal effort on your part.