All you need to know about bare-root plants

While they might look a little different and feel slightly intimidating, there are some advantages to growing bare-root plants. So, if you need an understanding of what bare root plants are and what to do with them, here is a simple analogy.

Understanding bare root plants

Unlike potted plants, bare root plants are dormant plants grown in open ground, dug up, and sold without any soil around the roots. By removing the soil, these plants are light in weight, making it possible to plant them in a different location where they will be planted. These types of plants are planted in a dormant season. When re-planted in the soil, they grow again without difficulty. Planting is just like planting any other shrub or small tree, but make sure the bare root plants don’t dry out and are not too wet. Some gardeners find it easier because the plants are lighter and easier to handle.

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Providing the proper growing conditions, including ample and deep watering for two to three days, will help bare-root plants establish deeper and more robust root systems. With time, this will enable them to become self-sufficient. There are several advantages to growing bare-root plants.

Advantages of growing bare root plants

There are several advantages to growing bare-root plants and timing is very important. These advantages include:

Optimal growth: Plants with bare roots adapt to local soil conditions quickly when planted and start growing rapidly. The roots of bare-root plants come into direct contact with your garden soil, allowing the plant to develop a strong root system before producing flowers and leaves.
Easy to plant: A bare-root plant is a plant without soil, so it will for sure be lightweight, meaning it is easy to move and easy to plant around.
Lower cost: Cost is a significant advantage when choosing bare-root plants. These plants are most economical and cost less because they come without soil.

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Disadvantages of growing bare-root plants

The disadvantages of bare root plants include:

Limited planting time: Bare root plants have a limited planting time. They need to be kept away from light until planting time.
Require careful handling: The roots of bare root plants must not dry out totally or get exposed to the elements as this will wake them from their dormant state.
They are seasonal: Bare root plants can only be moved when dormant, meaning they cannot be planted at any time of the year.