How to handle rootbound plants

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Spending a few minutes dealing with rootbound plants is worthwhile. Roots can then go where they’re supposed to (down), and plants establish themselves more quickly.

Unless badly rootbound, most annuals require only gentle teasing or untangling, while perennials, shrubs and small trees often need more aggressive treatment.

Using an old bread knife or saw, take a thin slice off the bottom as if you were slicing bread. Discard that slice, then gently pull and unwind the roots a bit. It’s fine to moderately prune some roots off, which further encourages top growth.

Super-compacted roots require a heavy hand: use a square-ended spade to slice through and open up the root area. This is always best done when the weather is cool, preferably in the fall. After planting, water well.

—Sharon Hanna