Bare root fruit bushes

Some weeks ago I ordered raspberry canes, a gooseberry bush and a blackcurrant bush as bare-root plants. They arrived yesterday, just in time for the coldest weekend of the winter so far!! In Leicestershire we are not forecast snow, but the ground will be very frosty and it's not expected to get above about 1 degree. Bearing in mind I work full time, so Saturday and Sunday is the only time I have to do something about these plants, is it a good idea to plant them out into the soil this weekend? (if I can break through the frosty surface!) And if not, what should I do with them?? Should I pot them up into temporary pots until I can put them out?

Tags: fruit

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Stephen Shirley on November 26, 2010 at 13:18

If you can get a spade in the ground get them in the ground ASAP.

If they have come from a reputable company they should have been lifted from the open ground in the last few weeks so will be fully hardy and fine. One or two companies ship from warmer climates and these may not fair so well - so if there is still lots of fresh growth be wary; if they're hanging on to a few tatty leaves and look like everything else in your garden they will be fine.

If you can't get the in the ground, I would personally just make sure the roots are well covered with damp straw or similar but leave them outside.