Plants that are grown in containers (especially those with tightly wound rootballs) should be loosened and the soil shaken off the roots prior to planting. I know this is hard to comprehend and probably contrary to everything that you have learned...especially when I watch everyone planting to the contrary. The plant roots need to be in contact with the soil in which they will be growing...not the mix that was used at the nursery. Nursery growing mixes are generally bark based, and are formulated to dry out quickly, to prevent over watering in a nursery container. Most nurseries irrigate 1-3 times daily, and if the soil isn't completely dry at each irrigation, the plant will drown. If you leave this root ball intact after the plant is planted, the roots still dry quickly, as the plant still thinks it's in a pot. When planted with the soil ball intact, the roots can begin to die in just a couple of days, while the surrounding native soil may still appear damp for weeks. Plants can be virtually dead within a week, and still have green leaves for several years...sort of a horticultural virtual reality.

Have you ever pulled up a plant that died several years after planting, only to find the roots had never left the original root ball. Well, now you know why that happened. The plant was actually dead several days after it was planted. These plants often will have enough stored reserves to hold onto their green leaves for several years after "virtual death".

There are probably many of you that are saying..."I never do that, and my plants grow fine". It is true that under ideal circumstances...great soil preparation, perfect weather, and very vigorous plants that the plants will grow out of the potting soil and into the surrounding ground and thrive despite our best efforts to the contrary. I am addressing the times when all conditions are not perfect.

The root ball discombobulation is best accomplished by beating the root ball on any nearby solid object (including garden helpers). If this doesn't work, try washing the root ball with a high pressure water hose. I know everyone used to use a knife to cut the root ball, and while that technique works, I'll leave the "mad slasher" method to those so violently inclined. It is not necessary to get all the soil off the roots, just enough to stretch the roots out and allow them to reach into the planting medium.