Blackberries

[llnmaw]

I'm pretty sure that Spring (and fall?) are the right times to plant bare root berries, right?

If I'm right...how do you make a freshly dug up plant 'bare root"? Does bare root really mean a bare root as in little to no soil? Or does it mean something else and for the last 30 or so years I've been wrong? (man...I feel silly asking this question!)

My sister has offered me some of her volunteer berry plants that are a year old. I'm going to dig them but don't know if I can just plop them in the ground with a soil ball or need to do something different since all I see in the nurseries are bare root.

We are in Sunset zone 4 I think. Or do I really need to wait for summer?

[gmvh]

If it was me and the plants are free, I'd wait until you're able to get into the ground (I'm zone 5 and things are frozen solid) and then just stick them in. I did that with raspberries from my neighbor and they've taken off. I'm generally pretty rough on plants (not purposefully, I just don't tend to coddle them) and they do well.

My guess and this is ONLY a guess, is that the bare root bit is mostly to avoid the weight of the soil and transporting it since the plants will travel and begin growing again with their roots having been exposed.

[llnmaw]

Originally Posted by gmvh

If it was me and the plants are free, I'd wait until you're able to get into the ground (I'm zone 5 and things are frozen solid) and then just stick them in.

Well, then I'm gonna go diggin soon! We've had the most mild winter in recent history so the ground is thawed. All my bulbs are up and 90% of my plants have buds.

I'll give it a go, after all they are free...

Thanks!

[SleeplessMommy]

Originally Posted by gmvh

that the bare root bit is mostly to avoid the weight of the soil and transporting it since the plants will travel and begin growing again with their roots having been exposed.

exactly. also to save space as they are refrigerated until sold. you want to dig up and plant with root ball. (preferred method!)

[plantmama]

A related question. So I want to move my raspberries. Can I just dig everything up? Or should I wait until the little new ones start coming up and carefully dig each plant separately?
Also has anyone trimmed off blackberry runners and planted those?

[lmonter]

Originally Posted by gmvh

The bare root bit is mostly to avoid the weight of the soil and transporting it since the plants will travel and begin growing again with their roots having been exposed.

This. And most states frown on diseases and such being brought in from other parts of the country, so this cuts down on this. Until you end up like my state where a ton of things can't be shipped to (garlic, peach and apricot trees, some onion starts, and so on - means you have to find local goodies).

Originally Posted by SleeplessMommy

exactly. also to save space as they are refrigerated until sold. you want to dig up and plant with root ball. (preferred method!)

Yup. Just dig 'em up, transport to your yard, plant. Sounds like a workout of a day.

[llnmaw]

My plans to dig have to be delayed, freezing temps at night with cool rainy days. It won't be long though and I'm still so excited!

Thanks for your thoughts!
~L.