Yes, bare-root season is here. Anything from deciduous fruit trees, some shade and nut trees and even grapes, raspberries and more can be planted bare-root anytime between now and the end of February. Bare-roots are simply deciduous trees and plants that are sold in their dormant stage.
This means not only without leaves, but also without soil and a container. When the wholesale grower doesn't have to pot up specimens using soil and a container, the savings are passed on to you.
Bare-root season is usually the best time to buy since prices are not only cheapest, but specimens are easier to plant Most first-rate nurseries will even give your new trees a first pruning. And don't worry about many of these trees looking like twigs this time of year because they'll soon leaf out.
Be aware that many fruit trees come in standard and dwarf sizes. Standard fruit trees can eventually grow to 35 feet or more. Most homeowners in subdivision houses would probably be better served with semi-dwarf fruit trees. Semi-dwarfs will usually stay between 10 and 15 feet with regular winter pruning. A few fruit trees, such as peaches and nectarines, are available as genetic dwarfs that don't get any larger than 5 feet.
Don't confuse citrus trees, including lemons and oranges, with fruit trees. Citrus are evergreen and are not sold in bare-root form. Some citrus, particularly lemons and limes, also are tender to frost and should not be planted this time of year.
Remember, too, that some fruit trees require pollinizers.This means you'll need two different variety trees to provide the proper pollination. Examples are cherry trees. You can't just plant a Bing cherry, for example. Instead, you'll need to plant both a Bing and Black Tartarian to provide pollination so it will fruit.
Cherries, plums and some apples are examples of fruit trees that normally require pollination. It is possible to buy so-called three-in-one or two-in-one trees that have been grafted to provide pollination from the same tree. It should be noted that even with varieties that are self-pollinators, most will bear heavier yields with cross-pollination.
As for what varieties to plant, check with friends and neighbors or plant varieties you like. Your nursery person should also be able to assist. Normally, only varieties that do well locally are sold locally.
Go To Page: 1 2
