How to Plant Bare-Root Trees, Hedges, and Roses
Owen Petrakis · Sep 21, 2026 · 6 min read
Quick answer
Bare-root plants are cheaper and often establish better than potted ones. Timing and preparation are everything.
Bare-root plants are dug from the field while dormant and sold without soil, usually from late autumn to early spring. They cost less than container-grown plants and are lighter to transport.
Because their roots are exposed, they need to go into the ground quickly.
1 When to plant
Plant any time during the dormant season when the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Autumn and early winter planting gives roots time to settle before spring growth.
2 Before planting
Unwrap the plants as soon as they arrive and soak the roots in a bucket of water for an hour or two. If you cannot plant within a few days, heel them in — lay them in a temporary trench and cover the roots with soil.
3 Planting step by step
- ✓Dig a hole wider than the spread of the roots, but no deeper
- ✓Loosen the soil at the bottom and sides
- ✓Spread the roots out and set the plant at the same depth it grew (look for the soil mark on the stem)
- ✓Backfill, firming gently with your foot to remove air pockets
- ✓Water well and add a ring of mulch, kept away from the stem
4 Aftercare
Stake trees low on the stem if the site is windy, and remove the stake after a year or two. Water regularly through the first spring and summer, especially in dry spells — new plants are most likely to fail in their first year from drought.
This is general gardening information. Results depend on your climate, soil, and conditions. Follow label directions for any fertiliser or treatment, and check whether plants are toxic to pets or children before bringing them home.