Go ‘Bare’ This Winter
Posted on February 1, 2012 by bob in Yard 'N Garden
It’s barely into winter. We sit with garden catalogs (am I dating myself?) or in front of the computer, looking at things to order for the garden. If the plants you want are listed as being shipped “bare root”, don’t worry. When it’s cold outside bare is the last thing we want to be, but bare root plants are merely plants without soil. Settlers successfully carried bare root plants across the country, and nurseries have shipped plants this way forever.
As a child I remember the local hardware store had bare root pansies wrapped in newspaper to keep them moist.
You bought them by the bundle, went home, unrolled the newspaper and discovered little white roots with a sprig of green at the top. Into the ground they went, and in weeks the blooms appeared. When buying plants, look first at local garden shops before opening your catalog or surfing the Internet. Some of the most common plants shipped bare root are hostas, day-lilies and other perennails.
Inspect plants when you receive them. You should see white, fresh roots with no foul odor. Broken roots can be trimmed off, but if you see mold or rotten roots, return the plants to the store or call the shipper and arrange for their return. Never plant a moldy or soft bulb plant.
Plants should feel firm like a carrot, not soft. Don’t worry if green sprouts are emerging at the top, as you can plant them directly in the ground.
Otherwise, plant in a pot with good potting soil then plant in the ground when tops are up. Prior to planting, soak plants in water for a couple of hours. If you can’t plant right away, you can keep them in the crisper section of a ‘fridge for about a week.
When planting, make the hole wider than it is deep, and add soil in the bottom to make a mound. Spread the roots over the mound and gently place soil around them. Water lightly, adding more soil to ground level with the top barely showing. Sprinkle it with water, and if it doesn’t rain in a week, water again. If there is sawdust packed with the plants, discard it. Do not use it in the hole.
Once plants emerge in the spring, fertilize with a half-strength solution of liquid balanced fertilizer. Fish fertilizer is also a good choice.
The cost of bare root plants can be less than others, unless you pick a unique plant which can be costly. Regardless of the price, always apply the “$5 Hole/50 Cent Plant Rule” — using the best soil brings the best results, even with inexpensive plants.
I had my first bloom today, and foliage is popping up everywhere with blooms soon to follow. Once the blooming ends don’t cut the foliage or tie it up in a rubber band. Just let it fade away, as the foliage feeds the bulb for next year.
I hope 2012 will be your best gardening year, and that in someway, I’ve helped with your success.
Ethel Dozier Boykin, a Montgomery native, owns Art in the Garden, a landscape design and consulting company in the Capital City. Contact her at 334-395-5949, or by email at etheldozierboykin@yahoo.com.
