How To Plant Bare Root 

How to plant bare root trees

Once you’ve received your bare root trees and are ready to plant them, carefully unwrap them, remove the packing from around the roots, untangle them, and then soak the roots for 2 hours before planting.

After choosing the appropriate location for your tree, dig a hole 2-3 widths larger than the root ball of the tree. The depth of the hole should enable the tree to sit at the same level it did before it was dug up. The key to this is finding the original soil line on the trunk of the tree to line up with the surface of the ground. Center the roots of the tree in the hole and begin to backfill the hole. Do not add any soil amendments: You do not want to burn the roots of your new tree. Straighten the tree as needed and then continue to add the rest of the soil, tamping gently to remove any air bubbles in the soil. Water your tree well. Be sure to water the tree for the first 5 days after planting; after that, water the tree based upon your local weather conditions.

How to plant bare root evergreens

After you have received your bare root evergreens, you should plant them as quickly as possible to make sure they don’t dry out. Unwrap your trees and then remove the packing from around the roots, gently untangling them. Place the roots in a bucket of water for at least 2 hours before planting.

Use a spade to dig a hole that is at least 2-3 widths wider than the root ball of the bare root evergreen tree. Dig the hole deep enough so the tree will sit at the same depth as it did when planted at the nursery. Center the roots of the tree in the hole and begin to backfill, using the soil you dug out of the hole. Straighten your tree as necessary, continuing to add backfill. Gently tamp down the soil to remove any air bubbles. Water your tree well, and continue to water it for the first 5 days after planting and then afterwards as you find necessary.

How to plant bare root shrubs

Once you’ve received your bare root shrubs, you want to plant them as soon to keep them from drying out. Unwrap the shrub, carefully remove the packing material from around the roots of your shrubs and then soak them in a bucket of water for 2 hours or so before planting. Now it’s time to prepare the hole.

Dig a hole that is wide enough to accommodate the root system of your shrub. This means making a hole 2-3 times wider than the root ball of your shrub. Center the root ball of the shrub in the hole and locate the soil line on the shrub: You want to plant the shrub at the same depth it was planted at the nursery. Gently backfill the hole with soil. Once you have finished filling the hole, generously water the shrub. Be sure to water your shrub generously for the first 5 days after planting. After that, determine a watering rotation for your new shrub.

How to plant bare root perennials

Unwrap your bare root perennials, removing any packing material around the root ball of the plants. Soak the roots in a bucket of cool water for 1 hour prior to planting. Now it’s time to prepare the hole for planting.

Using your spade, dig a hole. Gently shake off any potting soil that is clinging to the roots of your plant. Make your hole a little bit larger than the root ball of your plant, and plant the perennial so that the plant sits at the same ground level it did at the nursery. Cover the roots with soil, then gently water in the plant. Be sure to generously water your perennials for the first 5 days after you plant them. After that, determine a watering schedule for your plants based upon your weather conditions.

How to plant bare root vines

When you have received your bare root vines, if you cannot plant them immediately, store them in a cool moist location. When you are ready to plant, unwrap the bare root vines and then soak the roots in a bucket of water for 4-12 hours.

Using your spade, dig a hole that is 1 foot wide and 1 foot deep. Put a little bit of the loose soil back in the bottom of the hole. Hold the vine over the center of the hole, being sure to leave 3-5 inches of the vine above the surface of the ground. Spread the roots out and cover them gently with soil. Refill the hole with soil until the hole is ¾ full. Gently add at least a gallon of water, holding the vine in place as you do this. Once the water has been absorbed, fill in the rest of the hole. Be sure to water the vine generously for the next 5 days.

How to plant bare root ferns

Once you have received your bare root ferns, it is time to plant them. Carefully unwrap them. Soak them overnight. Dig the holes for your ferns a little larger than the root system. Plant your bare root ferns with their crowns located just below ground level. Water them gently. Water the ferns for the next 5 days, and afterwards depending upon your weather conditions.

How to plant bare root berry plants

After you have received your bare root berry plants and determined where to plant them, unwrap them gently. Dig a hole 18 inches wide and 1 foot deep. Remove half of the soil, mix in pre-moistened peat moss or compost, and then refill the hole until it is 4 inches from the ground level. Take your plant, spread the roots out and cover them with more soil. Tamp the soil around the roots. Water gently. Be sure to water the plants for the next 5 days, and then determine a watering schedule based upon your local weather conditions.

How to plant moss

Once you have received your moss plants, gently unwrap the moss from any packaging. Loosen the soil where you would like to plant the moss. Lay the moss down on the prepared area and lightly water. Be sure to water the moss for the next 5 days. After that, you should keep the moss moist for the next several weeks until it has taken hold. After that, water as needed based upon your weather conditions.