Mistake #7: Rootbound Plants

Many plants sit around the nursery or garden center for too long. And because of this, the roots begin to curl around the inside of the pot. This makes them effortless to extract from the pot once you buy it.

But it’s a recipe for failure in the future if you wait to free up these rootbound plants immediately. With annuals, you can gently break up the rootball that has formed with your fingers.

With larger perennials, trees, and shrubs, you might need a knife or special pruning saw to cut through the roots. Carve 1/2-inch- deep canals through four central sides of the rootball, and then carve an X in the bottom before you plant it in your garden.

This will prevent the roots from growing in a circle and it will encourage them to relocate outwards for nutrients and anchor the plant.