Planting Bare Root Trees

As tempting as it may be to stay inside over winter and keep warm, it’s actually a great time to get into the garden!

Winter is the perfect time for planting bare root plants, from roses to fruit trees. Some of the best bare root plants become available in June/July and can be planted this season, so they are established by summer.

Bare root plants are produced in the traditional European manner, grown in the ground and then dug up in their winter dormant stage.

The soil is removed from around their roots and they are shipped to plant nurseries such as your local Diaco’s Garden Nursery. It’s an economical way of producing plants, and often results in them being not only more affordable, but less prone to stress, shock and disease. This results in a faster growing, healthier, stronger cropping tree.

Now, before you run out and get yourself a truckload of bare root trees, keep in mind that planting them requires some preparation and careful planning. Below, we’ve outlined what you need to do to get the best results.

Step 1: Prepare

Begin by preparing your planting holes. Dig some good quality compost and manure into the soil to get it nice and ready, full of nutrients for the new plant.

(Hint: Diaco’s has a fantastic compost that is perfect for this!)

Dig your holes with a good wide diameter, but not a lot of depth. The trees should be sitting about the same level as when they were dug up. Take a look at the stem and see if you can spot a colour change. That’s the level at which it was in the ground.

Step 2: Prune

Prune the plant before it goes into the soil. When the tree was dug up the roots would have been pruned, so cut the tree tops back to create a nice flared shape if the tree is looking tall and leggy. When pruning, be sure to cut above to a bud facing out. The cut should be on a 45 degree angle, above the bud, facing out – NOT in towards the trunk.

Step 3: Plant

You’ll want to make sure that the roots are kept moist up until you plant. Don’t leave the bare root plant lying around in the sun before you plant it! Make sure you choose a spot in the garden with enough space for the tree to grow, so consider how large its full size will be. When planting bare rooted trees, you want to keep the tree planted 10-20 cm above ground. Mount it up, which will help it with watering and drainage.

Step 4: Fortify

Now that you’ve got your bare root tree in the ground, make sure it stays in place. If the tree feels a bit wobbly, tie it loosely to a stake to keep it sturdy.

Don’t neglect your garden this winter. Give it some love, and you’ll be rewarded with healthy new plants in the warmer months. For more advice on planting bare root trees or choosing the best plants for your garden, have a chat with your local Diaco’s Garden Nursery team.