Page 109 - Southern Oregon Magazine Winter 2015
P. 109
t being said, how exactly do you plant a tree or shrub that doesn’t come with soil already
attached? Here are seven steps that will help ensure success with your bare root planting:
1. Unpack the tree and soak it in water for three to six hours.
2. Dig a saucer-shaped hole at least twice as wide as the spread of bare roots. You may want to
make a mound of good soil in the center of the hole.
3. Remove the plant from the water, remove any packing materials attached to the roots and STPIRMINEG
prune off any broken, twisted or discolored roots.
4. Put a stick across the hole to mark the soil level. Hold the plant in the planting hole with
one hand so that the soil line on the trunk or stem is about an inch above the stick. This line
is usually indicated by a change in color or texture on the bark. With the other hand, spread
the roots evenly away and down so they will not be crowded.
5. Fill soil in carefully around the roots without letting the trunk level sink.
6. Make sure to give new trees plenty of water. After the initial soaking at planting time, wait Every day,
until the plant/tree has leafed out to start regular watering. When the plant is fully leafed more people are
out, an inch of water over the planting site per week should be enough the first season. A discovering the
soaker hose is perfect for this job—do not count on lawn irrigation to take care of watering satisfaction and
trees and new plantings. If there is a six-week or more period without rainfall, an additional benefits of growing
soaking of the planting basin would be a good idea. However, by far, more bare root plants their own fresh fruits
fail from over-watering than drought. Without a developed system of feeder roots being and vegetables. It’s
established yet, the plants cannot take up much water, and frequently what little root they simpler than you
do have rots away with unneeded irrigations. might think, and
Grange Co-op has
7. Wait to fertilize. Late summer of the first season after planting (August or early September), all the supplies and
a light feeding of a low nitrogen fertilizer, such as Gardner & Bloom Fruit Tree Fertilizer know-how you need
or Liquinox Bloom, would be appropriate. Regular feeding can begin the following year in to get started.
February or March—just before the tree/plant leafs out.
TRY OUR NEW SHIP TO STORE
If you can’t plant the bare root tree right away, sprinkle tops Grange Co-Op
with water and cover the roots with damp packing, sacks or
canvas. If the weather is too cold for planting, put the box Your Trusted Cooperative Since 1934
or bundle in a cool but frost-proof place. If weather is warm www.grangecoop.com
and you’re not ready to plant, “heel” the stock in, which is
temporarily planting your trees where they will be protected
from the sun and wind. Remove all packing material and
spread out the roots and fill in firmly with pulverized earth.
Keep moist.
winter 2015 • southernoregonmagazine.com 107
attached? Here are seven steps that will help ensure success with your bare root planting:
1. Unpack the tree and soak it in water for three to six hours.
2. Dig a saucer-shaped hole at least twice as wide as the spread of bare roots. You may want to
make a mound of good soil in the center of the hole.
3. Remove the plant from the water, remove any packing materials attached to the roots and STPIRMINEG
prune off any broken, twisted or discolored roots.
4. Put a stick across the hole to mark the soil level. Hold the plant in the planting hole with
one hand so that the soil line on the trunk or stem is about an inch above the stick. This line
is usually indicated by a change in color or texture on the bark. With the other hand, spread
the roots evenly away and down so they will not be crowded.
5. Fill soil in carefully around the roots without letting the trunk level sink.
6. Make sure to give new trees plenty of water. After the initial soaking at planting time, wait Every day,
until the plant/tree has leafed out to start regular watering. When the plant is fully leafed more people are
out, an inch of water over the planting site per week should be enough the first season. A discovering the
soaker hose is perfect for this job—do not count on lawn irrigation to take care of watering satisfaction and
trees and new plantings. If there is a six-week or more period without rainfall, an additional benefits of growing
soaking of the planting basin would be a good idea. However, by far, more bare root plants their own fresh fruits
fail from over-watering than drought. Without a developed system of feeder roots being and vegetables. It’s
established yet, the plants cannot take up much water, and frequently what little root they simpler than you
do have rots away with unneeded irrigations. might think, and
Grange Co-op has
7. Wait to fertilize. Late summer of the first season after planting (August or early September), all the supplies and
a light feeding of a low nitrogen fertilizer, such as Gardner & Bloom Fruit Tree Fertilizer know-how you need
or Liquinox Bloom, would be appropriate. Regular feeding can begin the following year in to get started.
February or March—just before the tree/plant leafs out.
TRY OUR NEW SHIP TO STORE
If you can’t plant the bare root tree right away, sprinkle tops Grange Co-Op
with water and cover the roots with damp packing, sacks or
canvas. If the weather is too cold for planting, put the box Your Trusted Cooperative Since 1934
or bundle in a cool but frost-proof place. If weather is warm www.grangecoop.com
and you’re not ready to plant, “heel” the stock in, which is
temporarily planting your trees where they will be protected
from the sun and wind. Remove all packing material and
spread out the roots and fill in firmly with pulverized earth.
Keep moist.
winter 2015 • southernoregonmagazine.com 107
