How to Plant Bare Root Elderberry
Commonly grown in Europe, the elderberry, or sambucus nigra, has gained popularity in the United States. Quite edible, the fruits of the elderberry plant make tasty jams, syrups, pie fillings and wine.
The petals of the elderberry flower are also safe to eat and make a fragrant tea. Most elderberry plants grow between 6 and 12 feet and provide a supplemental food source for neighboring wildlife. The elderberry plant thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9 and prefers fertile soil. When planting bare root elderberry, the size of the hole requires special attention.
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Things You'll Need
- Well-drained soil
- Soil testing kit
- Elderberry bare root plants
- Pail
- Water
- Shovel
- Pitchfork
- Lime
- Peat moss
- Compost
- Soaker hose
- Fertilizer
- Mulch
Instructions
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1
Scout out an area that gets full sun. The area should also contain well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Use a soil testing kit to test the pH of the soil when the acidity of the soil remains in question.
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2
Soak the elderberry bare root plants for 24 hours in a pail of water, making sure that the roots remain covered by water at all times. During this time, begin preparing the soil by breaking it up with a shovel or pitchfork and adding lime for soil with a pH that measures below 5.5 or peat moss for soil that measures above 6.5 on the soil test. Add the amendments according to manufacturer's instructions. Add a 4-inch layer of compost for additional nourishment.
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3
Dig holes large enough to accommodate the root system of the elderberry plant. Do not overcrowd the root. Space each elderberry hole 6 to 10 feet apart from one another. Place the bare root elderberry plant in the hole with the roots spread apart. Backfill the hole, and keep the crown just below the soil's surface.
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4
Water the bare root elderberry generously with a soaker hose. Water the plants at a rate of 1 inch of water per week. Nourish the bare root elderberry with a 10-10-10 fertilizer according to manufacturer's recommendations.
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5
Control weeds by applying mulch around the bare root elderberry plants. Use a pulverized pine or cedar mulch to deter weeds. Straw or sawdust also works well. Pull any stray weeds by hand, if they manage to emerge through the mulch.
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Tips & Warnings
Harvest the elderberry fruits during late August and early September. Use the fruit immediately or store it in a cool environment.
Do not over water the bare root elderberry plants. If the soil feels moist at a depth of 1 inch, refrain from watering and check the soil again in a few days.
