Plant a nursery perennial or bare-root fruit plant

When to do it

At the plant’s recommended local planting time; bare-root deciduous plants should still be dormant.

What you need

• Spade or trowel
• Water
• Mulch and a suitable support if required

How to do it

1. Check the species’ depth, mature space and support needs. Keep bare roots moist and shaded until planting; plant promptly or temporarily heel them into moist soil.
2. Water a container plant and slide it out. Ease tightly circling roots where practical. For bare-root stock, remove only broken or dead root ends with clean tools.
3. Dig a hole broad enough to spread roots naturally. Set the crown or original soil mark at the species’ recommended depth; keep graft unions above soil unless specific instructions say otherwise.
4. Backfill with the excavated soil, settle gently and water thoroughly. Do not pack concentrated fertiliser into the hole.
5. Install support if needed, mulch clear of the crown and check moisture through establishment. Blackcurrants, asparagus and other depth exceptions need their own plant instructions.

What success looks like

• Roots are covered without bent-up ends and the crown is at the correct level.

Watch out for

• Letting bare roots dry out.
• Applying a single depth rule to every perennial.

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