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Bare Root Guide

Beautiful garden plants and healthy trees and shrubs can easily be yours if you take the time required to thoroughly plan and properly plant and care for the nursery stock you purchase. At Jung's we do our best to provide you with the best plants available. Our nursery stock is dug in the late fall when in a dormant state and stored in our large climate controlled coolers. Most plants are sent to you "bare root" and are dormant when shipped, therefore, be patient for it often takes a month or more before the nursery stock shows noticeable signs of life.

Care of Nursery Stock Upon Arrival

For strawberries, perennials, crownvetch, asparagus, rhubarb, etc.

Wrap roots in a perforated plastic bag and store in the crisper of your refrigerator until they can be planted. (Do not freeze).

Soil Preparation

Most perennial plants such as shade trees, shrubs, evergreens, fruit trees, vines and bush fruits will live for many years. Healthy, vigorous, productive plants are very dependent on the soil in which they are planted. The soil in many locations and around foundations is often poor fill or sub-soil. Time and money spent to improve the soil around new plantings is an excellent investment. Most plants do best in soil that is fertile, loose, high in organic matter and well-drained. Most soils can be improved by the addition of organic matter plus a complete fertilizer. (Mix thoroughly assuring fertilizers do not come in direct contact with the roots - preventing roots from being burned). A compost bin or compost pile is an excellent way to change leaves, lawn clippings, garden refuse and other non-woody plant material into valuable compost and provide your yard and garden with beneficial organic matter which, when thoroughly mixed with the soil, provides the most desirable situation for good root growth.

Planting

Soaking Roots. Before planting bare root nursery stock, soak the roots in a pail or bucket of water for 12-18 hours (do not exceed 24 hours). This allows them to take up the maximum amount of water without doing any injury to the plant. Do not soak strawberries, asparagus, perennials or potted plants.

Root Pruning: Smooth wounds heal faster, so cut off broken or badly damaged roots, making a clean cut just in back of the ragged roots. Prune long roots that do not fit easily in the hole dug. Never bend a root to fit it in the hole. Potted plants must have the roots loosened at the sides and bottom so they can penetrate the existing soil.

Top Pruning - Shrubs only: Top pruning can be done before or after the stock is planted and aids the plant in getting over the shock of transplanting. Trimming the tops will give the roots a chance to get a good start.

Setting the Plant: Make sure the hole is large enough so that roots are not crowded and the soil in the bottom is loose. As you backfill be sure to pack soil firmly around roots and add water in the hole to prevent air pockets near the roots.

Watering: Most newly planted trees and shrubs need more water than established plants. Watering once every seven to ten days is recommended for new nursery stock. Water slowly so it soaks into the ground to the root depth. Allow soil to dry out between watering as too much water can cut off the needed air to roots and cause root rot.

Mulching: Mulching helps maintain a uniform supply of moisture while keeping weed growth down. Organic material such as marsh hay (without canary grass), wood shavings, sawdust, leaves and lawn clippings free of herbicides can be used, as well as inorganic material such as a porous film. When organic material is applied use a high nitrogen fertilizer to help the organic matter decompose.

Fertilizers. Application of fertilizer at garden planting time has been made easy with commercial products. Timed release Gromax tablets can be placed in the root zone at the time of planting. They should not be placed directly on the roots, but near the roots when the hole is dug. They provide 2 years of fertilization. Follow instructions on the bag for the proper number of tablets to use per plant.