Page 108 - Southern Oregon Magazine Winter 2015
P. 108
COME HOME Green Thumb WORDS BY Jane Doe PHSOTOTORYGRBYAPGHYraBYnJgaenCe oD-oope
Soil Free
PLANTING BARE ROOT TREES AND SHRUBS
Planting bare root trees and shrubs can have big advantages for
your yard, garden and wallet. Bare root varieties—which are
dug and stored without any soil—typically cost less money.
They also gain more root mass and are easier to plant with less
weight and packing soil or materials to deal with.
Timing is Everything
Time your planting precisely because the one drawback to planting bare
root plants is the limited planting window. Bare root trees and plants
need ample moisture in the soil, so that means late winter and very early
spring is the time to plant. Though the middle of fall might be okay
too, you will not find bare root plants in garden centers and nurseries
at that time.
Before You Plant
Most areas of the Rogue Valley will require soil amending to grow a
good garden of vegetables or ornamentals. The heavy clay soils most
commonly found in this area really need the addition of substances,
which will open the soil and provide enhanced aeration and adequate
pore spaces for water to percolate through the ground. In the case of
some plants, however, such as acid-loving plants like azaleas and rhodo-
dendrons, the soil will require more improvement. A product such as
Gardner & Bloome Acid Planting Mix for shade and acid loving plants
will work for these plants, as well as in a fern garden.
Rogue Organic Planting Compost is a perfect addition to the planting
site for bare root berries, fruit and shade trees. You will want to make
sure to avoid ‘hot’ or overly rich mixes on brand-new plantings.
To Fertilize or Not
Usually we do not use a full strength fertilizer on brand new plantings.
Though, an hour long soak of bare roots in Liquinox Start or Liquinox
Bloom may help soften the woody root stumps and stimulate formation
of soft, new, root hairs able to take up water and nutrients—thus aiding
the plant to become established.
106 southernoregonmagazine.com • winter 2015
Soil Free
PLANTING BARE ROOT TREES AND SHRUBS
Planting bare root trees and shrubs can have big advantages for
your yard, garden and wallet. Bare root varieties—which are
dug and stored without any soil—typically cost less money.
They also gain more root mass and are easier to plant with less
weight and packing soil or materials to deal with.
Timing is Everything
Time your planting precisely because the one drawback to planting bare
root plants is the limited planting window. Bare root trees and plants
need ample moisture in the soil, so that means late winter and very early
spring is the time to plant. Though the middle of fall might be okay
too, you will not find bare root plants in garden centers and nurseries
at that time.
Before You Plant
Most areas of the Rogue Valley will require soil amending to grow a
good garden of vegetables or ornamentals. The heavy clay soils most
commonly found in this area really need the addition of substances,
which will open the soil and provide enhanced aeration and adequate
pore spaces for water to percolate through the ground. In the case of
some plants, however, such as acid-loving plants like azaleas and rhodo-
dendrons, the soil will require more improvement. A product such as
Gardner & Bloome Acid Planting Mix for shade and acid loving plants
will work for these plants, as well as in a fern garden.
Rogue Organic Planting Compost is a perfect addition to the planting
site for bare root berries, fruit and shade trees. You will want to make
sure to avoid ‘hot’ or overly rich mixes on brand-new plantings.
To Fertilize or Not
Usually we do not use a full strength fertilizer on brand new plantings.
Though, an hour long soak of bare roots in Liquinox Start or Liquinox
Bloom may help soften the woody root stumps and stimulate formation
of soft, new, root hairs able to take up water and nutrients—thus aiding
the plant to become established.
106 southernoregonmagazine.com • winter 2015
