The leaves still need raking and the heating is already on. Even so, right now is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. Really! Bare-root plants are simply plants without a pot or root ball: the plant is asleep, the roots are exposed, and you get to give them a new home. The season is short, so if you wait until spring, you’re too late.
Why now?
The plant is asleep. Without leaves, hardly anything evaporates, so the move causes no stress. The soil is still soft and moist. No rock-hard frost, no bone-dry summer. The roots can settle in quietly before spring kicks off. It’s better value. No pot, no soil, no heavy lifting: bare-root plants are lighter and cheaper than container plants. You get the widest choice. Many varieties are only available during this window, so if you wait until March, you may miss out on your favourite.
What can you plant?
Hedging plants are the classic: beech, hornbeam, privet, hawthorn, field maple. Within a few seasons you’ve got a green wall (and birds moving in).
Fruit trees and soft fruit bushes for anyone who wants to harvest their own: apple, pear, plum, cherry, plus currants, raspberries and gooseberries.
Deciduous trees and shrubs for atmosphere in the garden: lime, maple, birch, elder, hazel and plenty more.
Roses are also supplied bare-root. Plant them now and next summer you’ll be standing in the scent.
Tips from someone who’s been doing this a while
Never let the roots dry out. After delivery or pickup, stand the plant in a bucket of water for a few hours before you start. Don’t plant in frost or mud. Not a good day? Heel the plant in temporarily in a tray of loose soil, and it will wait happily. Trim damaged roots. A clean cut heals and grows faster. Don’t plant too deep. The root collar (where trunk and roots meet) sits at soil level, not below it. Firm the soil gently and water in. Even if it’s raining, that first watering helps the soil settle snugly around the roots. Add a layer of mulch. Compost, bark or leaves hold moisture and protect against frost. Big trees get a stake. That way your new arrival doesn’t blow over before it has even started.
Ready to get started?
Browse our bare-root collection and pick what suits your garden. Unsure about the variety, spacing or quantity? Send us a message and we’ll help you work it out. You plant now, nature does the rest.