Care Tips for Bare Root Plants

While there’s a certain satisfaction and pride that comes from taking the time to grow something from seed, there are other occasions where many of us will opt for bare root plants instead. As the plant growth is already underway, this often makes plants less expensive, helps to save time with planting, and makes cultivation much easier. This is particularly helpful if you’re new to gardening, or attempting to grow bushes, shrubs and trees that take much longer to establish or are trickier to cultivate. However, it’s important to know the best way to plant and care for bare root plants, as improper methods can mean your plants are doomed to failure right from the start. Crowders have put together a helpful guide for planting and caring for bare root plants, to help you yield the best results.

Pre-planting care

When your bare root plant arrives, the roots will have been packed and wrapped in special material to keep them moist during shipping. Carefully remove the packaging and soak the roots in tepid water for 30-60 minutes, but don’t leave them in water for longer than two hours.

Digging the hole

The size and depth of the hole is critical to giving your bare root plants the best chance of survival and plenty of space. When digging the hole, it needs to be twice the diameter of the roots spread out, and deep enough to fit the roots in without them being bent. If you can, leave a mound of earth in the centre of the hole, where the base of the plant will sit with the roots splayed out around it.

Filling in and watering

Once you have the right-sized hole, gently fill it in with back soil and a little compost if you have it, ensuring that the roots don’t get snapped or squashed. You will also want to make sure that the crown – where the roots meet the trunk of the plant – is at the same level as the surrounding soil. It is a good idea to give the roots a dusting with mycorrhizal fungi planting powder before filling in the hole. This will help roots to absorb nutrients and to establish quicker. Before firming in, give the plant a little wiggle to settle the roots, and then water generously, allowing this to soak in before repeating several times.

Mulching

With plants such as roses, fruit trees and bushes, it can be a good idea to apply mulch on top of the soil around the plant – this will insulate the ground.

Post-planting care

To give your bare root plants the best chance of success, it’s imperative to ensure that they get plenty of water, but be careful not to over-irrigate them. In the first two weeks, check the soil and water every other day (dig down a few inches to see how dry the soil is), providing a good soaking to ensure all the water drains down to the roots. After the first fortnight you can reduce irrigation to once a week, unless it’s particularly dry.

This planting and care guide should ensure your bare root plants are well established for years to come. Visit crowders.co.uk to view a range of bare root plants.

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