Get bareroot plants in the ground

To boost beds and containers next year, now’s a great time to buy bareroot perennials, shrubs, hedging plants and fruit trees.

Costing less than potted plants (because they’re cheaper to grow), bareroot specimens are ready for planting in winter. As mail order plants arrive over the coming weeks, get them in the ground as soon as possible so the roots don’t dry out. However, only plant them if the soil isn’t waterlogged or frozen solid. If rain or frost is forecast, cover the planting area with plastic sheeting to keep the soil workable. If you have to wait a few days during bad weather, remove the plants from their delivery boxes, but keep the packaging around their roots. Store them in a cool, shady place, keeping the roots damp but frost-free. When you’re ready to plant them out: 1. Soak the roots in a bucket of tepid water for 30-60 minutes. 2. Dig a hole twice the size but the same depth as the roots. 3. Plant the crown of the plant (where the stems emerge from the roots) at the same level as the soil mark 4. Backfill with soil and firm in place. 5. Water and mulch around the plant with compost.