Bare root plants don't require potted packaging

Water thoroughly and rock the plant back and forth to settle it in and to get rid of any air pockets.

Many plants are grafted onto hardy rootstocks. If the tree or shrub is grafted be sure that the graft union is above the soil surface. The graft union is a swollen part of the stem that separates the rootstock from the grafted variety on top. If the graft is below the soil the uppermost graft may send down roots and eliminate any advantage of the hardy rootstock. Most fruit trees and roses are grafted, though some shrub roses are marketed as "own root" non-grafted roses.

After planting, spread a layer of mulch two to three inches deep around the plant. This will keep the soil cool and hold in soil moisture.

Bare root plants have many advantages over potted plants. They often have less transplant shock because they don't have leaves sapping their energy. They can put all of their initial growth into forming roots rather than leaves so may survive easier than potted plants. And usually you have a much wider range of bare root roses and fruit trees than potted ones. They tend to be a lot less expensive too, because you don't pay for shipping pounds of soil.

This is a good time to order bare root pants for spring planting. Many people wrongly believe that bare root is second best to potted plants, but after all that would just be a bare faced lie.

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