How to Plant Bare-Root Plants
How to Plant Your Bare-Root Plants
Pick the collection your plant came from and follow the steps below. Every TN Nursery plant ships bare-root and dormant, so the planting method depends on what you ordered.
First: don't worry if it looks like a stick
Bare-root plants ship dormant, with no leaves, blooms, or foliage — that's normal, not dead. To check: gently scratch a small spot of bark with a fingernail. Green or white underneath means it's alive; black or brown means it didn't make it. Plant it as soon as you can, and it will green out and grow once the season turns.
Planting Trees & Shrubs
Dig the hole
Twice as wide as the spread-out roots, and just deep enough that the root flare (where trunk meets roots) sits at or slightly above ground level.
Mound and position
Build a small mound of soil at the bottom to support the roots. Set the plant on the mound and spread the roots evenly and naturally around it.
Backfill
Use the original soil and firm it gently to remove air pockets. Skip fertilizer or soil amendments at this stage — they can damage young roots.
Water deeply
Soak thoroughly right after planting to settle the soil and ensure good root-to-soil contact.
Mulch
Add a 2–3 inch layer around the base, kept 2–3 inches clear of the trunk, to hold moisture and block weeds.
Stake if needed
For taller trees or windy sites, stake loosely with soft ties on two opposite sides. Remove after one growing season once it's established.
Planting Perennials (Bulbs & Tubers)
Soak first
Rehydrate bare-root bulbs or tubers in lukewarm water for 1–2 hours before planting.
Pick the site and prep the soil
Match the spot to that plant's light needs, with well-draining soil. Loosen the top 8–12 inches and mix in compost.
Dig and space
Plant 2–3 times as deep as the bulb is tall. Space smaller bulbs 4–6 inches apart, larger ones 6–12 inches apart.
Position it right-side up
Pointed growth tip faces up. For irregular shapes, look for small root nubs — those face down.
Backfill, water, and mulch
Cover and firm lightly without compacting. Water thoroughly, then add 2–3 inches of mulch, kept away from the growth point.
Feed once shoots appear
Use a light, balanced or bulb-specific fertilizer once growth emerges — not before.
Planting Ferns
Dig and mound
Make the hole wide enough that roots don't bend, with a small mound in the center to support the crown — where roots meet fronds.
Set the crown high
Place the fern on the mound so the crown sits slightly above soil level, roots spreading naturally down and out.
Backfill around, not over
Cover the roots with soil but leave the crown itself exposed.
Water generously
Soak well right after planting to settle the soil and help the roots make contact.
Mulch, keeping clear of the crown
Shredded leaves or pine needles work well. Keep mulch away from the crown itself to prevent rot.
Ongoing care
Keep soil moist but not soggy, especially in dry spells. Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Planting Vines
Choose the spot first
Pick a planting spot 6–12 inches out from the base of the trellis, fence, or wall the vine will climb, so roots have room without crowding the structure.
Dig and plant
Dig a hole twice as wide as the spread roots, mound the bottom, and set the plant so its root flare sits at ground level, with roots angled slightly toward the support.
Backfill and water
Firm the original soil gently around the roots, then water deeply to settle it in.
Mulch
Add 2–3 inches of mulch around the base, kept clear of the main stem.
Train it early
As soon as new growth appears, loosely tie it to the support with soft ties to guide it upward — this is what gets vines climbing instead of sprawling.
General planting guidance for home growers. Brought to you by TN Nursery, growing and shipping bare-root native plants from Tennessee since 1959.