Planting Bare Root Plants
by Patti Sevigny
UC Cooperative Extension Napa County Master Gardener
http://cenapa.ucdavis.edu

The winter is the perfect time to plant bare-root plants. Nurseries usually carry a wide variety of roses and deciduous, woody fruit, shade and ornamental trees and vines. If handled and planted properly, bare-root plants can be less expensive and grow just as well as container plants. The plants do best when they develop new roots and shoots during cool spring weather.  Roots should never be allowed to dry out, be sure to plant as soon as possible after you get them home.  Take care not to plant bare-root plants in saturated or wet soil.  Work the ground in the fall and cover it if necessary to keep it dry.  The plants also benefit from mound or raised bed planting.  Mound planting is especially helpful for improving growth and reducing root and crown rot.  

Mound Planting

The most fragile part of the plant is the crown - this is the part of the plant where the trunk meets the roots.  Make sure you plant it high, keeping the crown area above the original soil line.  The crown should be kept as dry as possible, especially in the spring when the tree is leafing out.  Raised planting prevents puddling near the trunk and crown areas.

If the planting area is too dry, it should be thoroughly watered a few days prior to planting and the plants should be watered right after planting.  After the tree is planted apply compost, wood chips, grass clippings or other mulch material 3 to 4 inches deep in a radius 2 to 3 feet  from the trunk for weed control and nutrient enhancement.  Do not dig a large hole and fill it with amended soil.  This creates a pot-like effect that keeps the roots in the favorable growing conditions and of the amended soil instead of growing out into the native soil.

If you follow these simple steps you should see great results with your bare-root trees.

1. Prepare the soil by working an area about 16 square feet.  Dig just deep enough to remove any compacted layers.

2. Clip off any broken, twisted or girdling roots.  Do not plant trees with rotted roots or warty growths on the roots.  This can be crown gall caused by bacterial infection.  If you notice this the plant should be return to the nursery where you purchased it.  Do not over-prune the roots.

3. Place the tree on top of the ground and shovel soil from the surrounding area around the roots, forming a mound.  The ditch created can be used to water the tree during the spring and summer and for drainage in the winter.

4. If you are planting a tree, prune the tree to 20 to 24 inches from the top of the mound to encourage low branching.  For any branches below 24 inches from the ground, cut them back so there are only 2 buds on the branch.

5. Paint the lower two-thirds on the tree trunk with a mixture of one-half water and one-half white latex paint.  This will protect the plant from certain pest such as Pacific flathead borers.  Leave the upper 6 to 8 inches unpainted to increase budbreak.

Bare-root plants are an economic solution to gardening.  You can also get additional selections that might not be available in container plants.  I’ve enjoyed many bare-root plants that I have planted both in the ground and also in containers.  This is definitely something where you can enjoy the fruits of your labor.  Happy Gardening!