How to Plant Bare Root Plants the Right Way — A Grower’s Guide for Homesteaders

You might be surprised by what arrives in the mail when you order bare-root plants for the first time. Many beginners panic, call the company, and tell them they’re dead.

Real talk, bare roots are just young, dormant plants. They’re dug up after the leaves and flowers have fallen off, and the plant goes into hibernation. They just need a little warmth and water to perk up before planting. While they’re sometimes considered riskier, bare-root trees are the professional standard. This way of growing is an effective way to start a home orchard.

This is a step-by-step guide to:

• Ordering bare-root plants

• Receiving and storing them 

• Properly transplanting 

• Long-term care and maintenance

Our guide contains commercial grower techniques and expert tips for success. Learning how to plant bare-root plants properly gives homesteaders the same tools commercial orchards use. Using proper techniques yields strong, mature plants and more cost-effective plantings. 

Understanding Bare Root Plants

What Are Bare Root Plants?

Bare-root plants are young plants dug up while in dormancy, typically in the spring or fall. There are no leaves; they’re lightweight, and no soil is needed. Sellers clean, package, and ship the roots to you. Shipping is quick and inexpensive, but buyers should note that the transplant window is much shorter. 

Common plants sold as bare roots: 

• Strawberries

• Fruit trees 

• Asparagus 

• Roses 

• Peonies

Your bare-root plants might arrive looking like a dead stick. It’s actually just slightly dehydrated and dormant. It’s common to receive them packed with damp newspaper scraps, moss, or moisture gel to keep them happy during their journey to you. The roots will likely be healthy and extensive, spreading out and taking hold upon transplant.

November to March is the ideal time for shipping and planting bare roots. The exact timing depends on the plant type and your region. Most companies ship according to your last frost date to improve plant survival. Survival rates depend on how quickly they are planted, the soil type, the weather, and the amount of water they receive immediately after planting. Typically, bare-root plants have a higher survival rate than potted plants. They are more cost-effective for the growers and require less labor to harvest and ship, which is why they cost less. 

Why Bare Root is Better When Done Right

• Root systems stored in moisture gel rather than soil are less likely to become rootbound.

• Roots adapt better to transplanting when planted as a bare root. 

• This is a much more cost-effective route if you’re doing large plantings; you might get bulk pricing for even less. 

• You’ll receive your bare roots earlier in the season, so you can plant sooner. 

• Specialty variety stock is often only available as bare-root plants.

When to Plant Bare Root Stock

Ideal Timing by Plant Type

When planting in the fall, do so before the ground freezes or becomes overly saturated with fall rain. This is usually several weeks before the last frost. Stone fruits such as peaches and cherries ripen earlier in the spring. Prioritize planting them earlier. Apples and pears wake later; you can plant them later. Just ensure their roots stay moist while they wait. 

If waiting until spring, check your last frost date and monitor the ground for thawing. If you receive heavy rainfall or snowmelt that leaves the soil soggy, wait until some of it has dried. 

Plant once you can work the soil with a broadfork or tiller, before the buds have begun to swell. You want the roots to establish while the temperatures are still cool, to prepare them for the heat of summer. 

Find your zone using the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Storing Bare Root Plants Until You’re Ready

While the transplant window for bare roots is shorter, you can store them for a short time if you’re not quite ready for them. Keep them dormant by replacing the moist packing material with fresh, damp moss or newspaper shreds. Store them in propagation trays or grow bags in a dark, cool place. 

What not to do: 

• Don’t allow the roots to dry out. 

• Don’t receive a shipment without checking its condition. 

• Don’t plant into soggy ground or just before heavy rain is forecast. 

Bootstrap tip: If you have a greenhouse or indoor seed-starting area, “heel them in.” Store roots bundled together in containers with pre-dampened soil temporarily while you wait for outdoor conditions to improve, and you’re ready to plant. Keep them moist and don’t let them freeze. While you’re patiently waiting, check out our How to Grow Seedlings resources. 

Step-by-Step: How to Plant Bare Root Plants

Pre-Plant Prep

1. Before transplant day, test your soil for drainability and pH. 

2. Soak the roots for a few hours or overnight. Refer to the tree type for specific instructions and your local nursery recommendations. 

3. Prune if needed. Professionals typically do this to maintain a healthy tree shape, but it’s not required. 

4. Inspect for any damage. 

Digging and Measuring Correctly

• Dig a hole just as deep as the roots, using a spade or hand trowel. 

• Keep the crown slightly above the soil. Planting too deeply is a common mistake. 

• Spread the roots evenly below the soil line. Keeping them bunched might cause transplant shock or rootboundness. 

• Space out the plants according to recommendations for the type and variety you’re planting. 

• Fill the hole with native soil, mixing in compost if needed. 

Your plot may look like a row with sticks protruding from the soil surface. This is normal. Trust the process. Label the plants with garden markers for clear identification, easy record keeping, and future care. 

Final Steps After Planting

• Water your plants in deeply.

• Mulch around the base of the plant, but avoid covering the crown. 

• Use a tree protector with a frost blanket for late frost protection. 

First-Year Bare Root Plant Care

What to Expect in the First Season

In year one, you may notice some die-back. This is normal, and it’s not a sign of failure! Some trees exhibit stress more than others, but it doesn’t mean they won’t survive. Continue to care for them by maintaining healthy soil and providing ample moisture. 

If you notice the above-ground growth is less than impressive, just remember it’s working hard beneath the soil surface. Young trees focus their energy on their root systems, establishing their home, and finding water and nutrients.

Only lightly prune during active growing months, saving more dramatic, shaping prunes for dormancy. Most young trees won’t require pruning of the tops in the first year. 

Watering, Monitoring, and Encouragement

Consistent and adequate watering is crucial in year one. Moist, fertile soil will help the roots establish in their new home. Healthy plants are less vulnerable to pests and disease and will produce better yields for you.

Monitor the ground for root heaving. This often occurs when the ground thaws and then refreezes before roots have established. If the crown or roots are exposed, they become vulnerable to damage and freezing. The risk decreases as they become established. 

Bootstrap tip: If your ground has heaved, gently push the exposed parts back into the soil. 

Just like everything in gardening, you learn by doing. Most failures are avoidable with: 

• Proper preparation 

• Timing 

• Long-term maintenance

• Experience 

Why Homesteaders Should Use Bare Root More Often

Homesteaders who want to scale up their backyard orchards, berries, or hedgerows should consider additional bare-root plantings. Here’s why: 

• Bare-root plants can be up to 60% less than potted plants, saving you money.

• They’re easily scalable. If you love something after a few years, quickly add a few more. 

• You’re granted direct access to professional-grade stock. Some exceptional varieties aren’t available as potted plants. 

• Bootstrap Farmer tools allow you to build a commercial setup on your homestead budget and your personal pace. 

FAQs For Planting Bare Root Plants

What is a bare-root plant?

A bare-root plant is harvested when dormant, cleaned, and shipped without soil. Moisture gel or damp paper keeps them healthy during transport. Robust root systems adapt readily to transplanting into your soil, but have a shorter transplant window. 

When is the best time to plant bare-root trees?

The time to transplant depends on the tree species, soil type, and current weather. See the chart above. 

How deep do you plant bare-root plants?

Place the crown of the plant just above your soil’s surface, keeping it slightly exposed. Disturbed soil sinks over time, so a couple of inches of crown is fine. Spread the roots out evenly and ensure they are completely covered. 

Should I prune bare-root plants before planting?

The decision to prune before planting is a personal one. As you gain experience with planting bare roots, you’ll learn characteristics to look for that help you decide if pruning is right or not. 

Can I plant bare roots in containers?

Bare-root plants, such as dwarf blueberries and strawberries, perform exceptionally well in containers. You may also start bare-root plants in containers while you prepare the ground for outdoor planting, or wait for conditions to improve.

Is it worth buying bare root instead of potted?

It’s definitely worth trying bare roots if you haven’t yet. With patience and experience, you can quickly grow your orchard for far less than buying potted plants. Bare-root plants are often more mature than potted stock, and offer productive plants years earlier than small potted plants.