A highlight of my week was visiting local nurseries to search for bare root plants. I love bare root plants for many reasons, first they are cheaper!- this is a big plus, honestly if the bare root plants don't sell in a nursery they pot them up and sell them for more. You might as well get them for less. (I found some grape vines this week that were 4.99 each! In the pot they are usually $15-$30 each) Second, it is easy to inspect the root system and get a healthy plant. Look for a root system that is large and has some healthy white areas. My opinion is that plants are healthier going from unlimited space to unlimited space- no pot needed, put them in the ground right away. Look for bare root plants that are not leafing out already, the more dormant they are the better.
Make sure you get them in the ground right away after purchase so they have optimum conditions!
Things you can find bare root:
Fruit trees of all kinds...(The cheapest way to buy healthy fruit trees)
Asparagus (remember you shouldn't harvest till the third season, but after the wait they are well worth it- 1 plant will produce for 50 years!)
Raspberries both ever-bearing and June bearing
Strawberries (It is much cheaper this way- you are going to replace them every 3-4 years anyway for the best production)
Grapes- Again there is 3-5 years of training till they start producing, bare root gets them in the ground earlier for more seasonal growth/settling.
Blackberries-(awesome growing in zone 5 you most likely get more blackberries than raspberries with fewer plants)
I have heard you can find some ornamental plants bare root also- although I have yet to find a nursery in my area that carries them. I also found a number of other berries at the nursery I went to. Check it out at local nurseries- some specialize in bare root plants in the spring so call around and find a nursery that has everything you need. It feels good to get them in the ground and ready to grow in the right place so early!
Here is a link from the University of Nebraska Extension site for more info on bare root plants
http://extensionhorticulture.unl.edu/Articles/SJB/Bareroot.shtml
Happy Gardening!
Adrienne
you are amazing adrienne. i'm so impressed with everything you are doing. i really want to do a garden but have no clue how to start and i think i've already missed my chance for this year. any ideas on how to do a garden in the awful houston climate? in the mtc i had some training in square meter gardening and i've been wanting to do it and bought the book and everything, but i'm just too intimidated. i think i need you to teach me. oh, and did i mention i miss you?
ReplyDeleteYay! I just got raspberries, I hope they turn out well!
ReplyDeleteVery nice Adrienne! You are right bare root is the cheapest. Just plan ahead to plant as soon as you buy. Try out on of the best ever-bearing strawberries, Albion. Susan
ReplyDelete@ Mindy! I found out Houston Texas is hardiness zone 9a which is a pretty good zone to grow a very wide range of things! I found a good website that may help give you some ideas... also try to seek out the closest extension, they usually have really good gardening info. Hope this helps! Miss you too!! When are you moving here?
ReplyDeleteHere's the link...
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/gardening/basics/5095909.html