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| Photo Credit: Megan Bame |
| Look for a healthy, hydrated mass of roots on bare-root plant material. |
While you’re likely familiar with potted plants, which are commonly available at garden centers, bare-root trees and shrubs may be a new horticultural concept. Or perhaps you’ve seen these soil-free twigs with seemingly tangled roots and wondered, “How would I care for that?” But once you know the basics of bare-root care, you’ll likely feel as if you’ve opened up a whole new world of plant possibilities.
First off, you can’t dillydally with bare-root plant material. Be aware that it’s only available in the winter and very early spring. Bare-root plants are harvested and shipped in the dormant state. Once the plant begins to break bud, the window for successful planting closes rapidly. So good news: You don’t have to wait until spring to start planting! What’s more, there’s a wide variety of bare-root plant material available, including fruit trees, fruit vines/canes, shade trees, ornamental shrubs, roses and some perennial vegetables. While some bare-root plants are available at garden centers, most gardeners turn to mail-order nurseries to get theirs. One advantage of going mail-order is that you can often choose from a wider selection of plants, including rare heirloom varieties. But don’t get too carried away! Before you buy anything, be sure that the plants you want to order (perhaps from across the country) are suitable for your climate. Another advantage is bare-root plants usually cost 10-40 percent less than container-grown selections, even after shipping costs. Bare-root plants are economical to ship because there’s no heavy soil to add to freight costs. The roots are packed in sawdust, shredded paper or sphagnum moss to hold moisture. This temporary root-ball is then wrapped in plastic to prevent the packing material from drying out.
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