Root Wash for a Better Start

Planting trees and shrubs this fall? Try this method to guarantee the roots' long-term health.

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Preparing to plant When you slip a plant out of its container and the roots hold the pot's shape, this is a sign that they should be loosened.

Gardeners have been told for years not to disturb the roots too much when transplanting container-grown trees and shrubs. However, I've successfully planted dozens of plants with another approach: root washing. Potting mix has a lot of benefits for container-grown plants: Roots can push through it freely, it drains quickly so roots don't suffocate from being overwatered, and its light weight makes transporting easier and less expensive. However, it's very different than the garden soil you'll be moving the plant into. By the time you bring a tree or shrub home, the roots have most likely been repotted several times and developed into a dense, spiraling pot-bound mass similar to the one you see in photo 1. The goal is to get those roots to spread horizontally to anchor the plant and search out nutrients.

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