Winter is the time to get your hands dirty and plant bare root stock. Bare root season commences in June when deciduous trees are in a dormant state due to the colder weather, and can survive out of the ground for a short period of time.
These are field grown plants which have been dug up from the soil in their dormant state. No soil remains attached to the remaining root mass, hence the term ‘bare rooted’.
The significant root loss during this process means the remaining roots need to be protected and new roots encouraged to grow. Stock is put under mulch or potted / planted in order to protect the roots from drying out and being physically damaged.
Gardeners successfully establish many thousands of bare rooted plants every year. It can be a very efficient and economical way of planting deciduous trees and shrubs. Given the nature of bare rooted stock, there is always an element of risk. There are several tips to maximise success which include good soil preparation, plant selection, planting, pruning and after planting care.
In celebration of winter’s wonders, throughout the month of July, Garden Soirée will be sharing all the information you need in a series of blogs. Be a part of this integral part of winter – bare root season.
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