Bare root plants?

[crazy_red]

I've just got some bare root fruit bush plants, courtesy of Stewart, thanks again

I've read the thread on vernalization but could someone confirm my correct understanding?

1. It would be okay to plant these straight out into their permanent positions now despite the forecast snow?

2. If I couldn't put them in their permanent positions, I could heel them in outside over winter in a 'nursery bed' (if I had any soil, lol)

3. If I put them in pots, which I will have to, what size pot should I use and can these be left outside with no protection i.e. not under cloches, cold frame, etc.

They wouldn't need any protection, at all, such as wrapping the pots?

Thanks,

Red x

[Two_Sheds]

Bare root plants have been grown outside. Therefore they are accustomed to being outside.

As you don't have space outside yet, stick them in some pots in containers.

[FB.]

1: Yes - you could plant them now, if the ground isn't frozen.
2: Yes - you can plant them temporarily and then move them when their planting site is ready.
3: If you expect a sharp frost, I would protect the roots of potted/containerised plants.

[Snadger]

What I did when I had a similar dilemma because the area I wanted to plant them in wasn't ready was..........I planted them in pots, dug a hole and buried the pots in a spare area to protect the roots from frost.

Seemed to work ok for me!

[crazy_red]

Cheers,

Not having any soil is a teensy bit of a drawback when your gardening isn't it

I will combine the two suggestions and pot them up then wrap the containers.

Thanks a lot.

[rustylady]

Cheers,

Not having any soil is a teensy bit of a drawback when your gardening isn't it

Just a tad!! When do you expect to have soil ready, and will it be in your garden, or on an allotment?

[crazy_red]

I'm hoping to have the beds filled by Spring.

I'd do it now if I could, I don't mind gardening whatever the weather

I have had some success with Freecycle on sourcing some topsoil, so hopefully I won't need to but too much, if any.

The main problem is that I don't drive, so can't pick it up and at the moment domestic circumstances mean I don't have access to a driver either.

I'm trying to do as much as I can, winter sowing, prep, etc. so i'm relatively ready when it does happen