Fruit Trees arrived by post today ... now what ?

[cambourne7]

Hi All,

... Ok i know the answer at least one person is going to but is to plant them :)

The problem i have is that the box i had planned on planting them into which i had put some soil into and was going to back fill until the ground thaws out enough for them to go into their final planting position has nor just frozen to the ground but the soil inside has frozen :(

Do you think i would be ok to just carry on and pop the 4 trees into the box and fill to cover the roots?

I have left the box outside so that they dont get a shock if i bring them into a nice warm house. Heavy snow is forcast for here friday onwards so i want to get them settled before then.

Any advice?

L

[cambourne7]

[goodlife]

You can even put the rootballs into compost bag and cover with compost..new or old..it doesn't matter.
As long as the roots are in damp/moist enviroment that is enough. But what ever container you decide to use, make sure that there is drainage holes at the bottom ;) Roots don't mind wet or even frozen conditions as long as they are not standing in solid block of ice or standing water.
Once you have temperary home for them you are in no hurry for planting them ..bare rooted should ideally be planted before any bud break..and that is yet some months ahead.

[grawrc]

Normally I'd say heel them in but if the ground is frozen you can't. The temperatures we have been getting are pretty low. The roots can be damaged by frost so you would do better to store them in a frost-free  garage or shed. If you aren't planting them just make sure that the roots are moist then put them  (the roots) in a poly bag and insulate with straw or bubble wrap. Check from time to time that they are still moist.

Alternatively you could heel them in to a large container of compost, but again, better in the garage or shed and protect the roots with some form of insulation round your container.

[zigzig]

I am sure that these things usually get sent out in Spring.

Do you think that the growers are scared of loosing them and are despatching early Or am I just getting paranoid about every one scamming?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Heel them in if you can, otherwise, as suggested, do the equivalent in a bag of compost. If so, keep under cover. Given that we're having milder weather though, have a go at digging a hole before it all freezes up again. You might be surprised.

[Morris]

Hmm I see you live in Ely so likely colder than we are here in Hampshire.

Anyway, I have just coincidentally come in from a mad dash in the nearly dark getting jobs done whilst there is relative 'warmth' in the garden ie not several degrees below freezing.  The soil in my large tub by the house is still frozen - I wanted to plant some pansies I have in the cold frame but I didn't manage to get them in.  However, I did manage to find a spot in the veg garden near the hedge where I could dig a hole, so I was able to heel in my bare root roses that have been in their bag in the shed for a couple of weeks.  They are now safely tucked up, roots covered with earth and a big heap of mulch.

Do you think you could manage the same?  Because then you will know they are safe even if - as is forecast - we get cold and snow again.  As has been said, they can then wait until Feb/March before planting if necessary.  They are better protected under ground from frost/snow/wet.  However, failing this I think they will be fine in compost and insulated in their box.

Zigzig I think Nov-Mar is the usual time to send out bare root plants.

[cambourne7]

as always thanks guys.

Popped out today and turned the container upside down so soil should drop over time its got drainage holes but going to scrunch up some paper at the bottom and refill with unfrozen soil and heal in the trees and then top it off with a thick layer of shredded paper to help with insulation. And move the whole thing into a nice sheltered area if i can get the box in there. It would be sitting on gravel so that might help with movement of air as well.

(container is council recycling box from old house - New owner got a new one so i took my old ones with me)

[cambourne7]

we have had our first real snow and being a little paranoid about my plants i have popped out and pulled the delivery box they came in out of the recycling and wrapped it around the container and lifted it a little so there is now a cardboard collar to protect the plants from the wind which is cutting at the moment. Thankfully the sheltered little spot i found is not 2 bad at the moment.

I planted the strawberrys i got free ( Tenira ) in the box as well anyone used them?