Bare root fruit bushes arrived sooner than expected just in time for this weekends cold snap! Help!
in Fruit & veg
So my bare root current bushes, potted blueberry bushes and kiwi arrived sooner than expected (good work on the rapid delivery, I just wasn't expecting them until next week) and just in time for this weekends cold snap! I have most of the containers constructed, painted to match the fence (a pre-requisite for fruit bushes on the patio) and have (most) of the compost ready to fill them with.
They arrived yesterday, if I get up super early tomorrow I might be able to get the currants and kiwi planted, however I still need to build and paint the planters and obtain compost for the blueberries!
Im in the Midlands and while I'm not overly concerned that the 'beast from the east Mk2' is going to cause snowmageddon, I am concern that planting them immediately before a cold snap may not be optimum!
Conversely I don't know how long I can keep the bare root currants out of the ground for, and how I should protect them and the other bushes from the weather if I don't plant them as I'm not allowed to bring them in to the house as we have friends (and children and dogs) visiting this weekend!
Arrrggghh! Also help!!
Thanks J.
They arrived yesterday, if I get up super early tomorrow I might be able to get the currants and kiwi planted, however I still need to build and paint the planters and obtain compost for the blueberries!
Im in the Midlands and while I'm not overly concerned that the 'beast from the east Mk2' is going to cause snowmageddon, I am concern that planting them immediately before a cold snap may not be optimum!
Conversely I don't know how long I can keep the bare root currants out of the ground for, and how I should protect them and the other bushes from the weather if I don't plant them as I'm not allowed to bring them in to the house as we have friends (and children and dogs) visiting this weekend!
Arrrggghh! Also help!!
Thanks J.
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Im debating which is the lesser of two evils, keeping them out of the ground for a few days or planting them immediately before snow/frost is due?
I agree with Joyce and Purpler - it's more important to prevent the roots drying out. So, either heel them into a spare piece of ground or make a temporary planting in a plant pot or, failing that, wrap the roots in some damp newspaper or damp fabric (damp - not sopping wet).
It may be a little cruel to expose them to the full force of the extremely cold winds we're experiencing this weekend - but a sheltered spot in the garden or a shed or garage will be fine.
If you leave them somewhere warm for any length of time they may spurt into growth and the new soft growth will be very vulnerable to frost damage. You may also need to harden them off again.
Got up early and got the planters sorted so if got the currants in. The planter is in the patio against a fence so sheltered from the worst of it. The blueberries are in pots so can stay there for a few days but at least all the bare root stuff is in the ground.
As has been said, the best option and long established practice is to heel them in until the cold snap is over ... Glad you've been able to get that done ... now get in the warm with a cuppa and watch the rugby