I was told to soak the bare root for a few hours or a day in water before planting. Do you always soak your bare root trees before planting? Or can you get away with planting bare root without much soaking and just watering good.
2 Likes
I always soaked for hour or so…
3 Likes
I soak, but not for very long - just while I’m preparing the planting holes. In all the years I have been doing it this way, I have yet to lose a plant or see any signs struggle.
6 Likes
The length of soaking depends how quick the turn around is from opening the package and how moist they appear.
Ultimately they all end up in a bucket of water while I’m planting.
I’ll be soaking trees in a livestock watering trough while planting this spring, as there will be hundreds of bare root trees arriving at once.
6 Likes
If the trees are healthy and the roots are moist it’s not so critical, but for trees with roots that are drying out or look weak they always get a good soak. I also soak the soil around the trees after planting if its not already wet.
6 Likes
I don’t soak at all.
This is interesting to read. I was under the impression that soaking was mandatory for survival and have been overnight soaking for my 2 years of bareroot tree plantings. 1-3 hours for bushes or small bareroot plants. I’ll probably keep it up since it’s not hard to do, but good to know it’s not a requirement.
1 Like
No, I never soak them, and almost get 100% survival rate.
I soaked them once I got them. Soaked them until evening when it’s the best time to plant them.