Instructions for Bareroot Planting

It's no typo — our resident expert on handling of bareroot berries, fruit trees, roses and other ornamental trees and shrubs is Mr. Steve Carey, who's “heeled in” more bareroot plants over the years than the rest of the staff combined. Steve's sage advice on the most essential part of providing tender loving care to bareroot plants is: don't let their roots dry out before planting! Steve says that dried-out roots are the most common reason for the failure of bareroot plants, and that it is best to plant the same day that the plants are purchased to avoid desiccated roots. If you must delay planting, he says it's absolutely vital to keep the plants' roots moist, in shade and covered. He recommends covering them with moist soil or compost, and shading the entire plant, if possible, with a tarp, plastic, or moist burlap.

NOTE: if more than 48 hours will elapse before planting, then the bareroot plants should be “heeled in.” This means scuffing out a hole in a pile of moist, light soil, sand, wood shavings or compost with a shovel or, literally, the heel of your boot (think Doc Marten, not Manolo) and temporarily “planting” the roots, keeping the top growth cool and more or less upright.

The planting hole need be no deeper than the roots are long, and a bit wider than the roots when spread out. Build a small mound in the center of the hole with your excavated soil, and place the center of the plant on top of this mound, arranging the roots around the mound. The crown of the plant (point where uppermost roots meet the trunk) should be a little bit higher than grade to allow for settling. Add some soil in and around the roots and tamp gently, then fill remaining space in the hole with soil, tamp again and water well.

For an excellent illustration of the proper technique for planting your bareroot fruit trees, berries, roses and other ornamental plants, see the Planting Techniques chapter of the Sunset Western Garden Book (page 714 of the 2007 edition). Or stop by sometime in early January and catch Mr. Carey carefully working the nursery's bareroot beds with some of the biggest heels (size 14D) in the business!

— Margaret