outdoors
Rock-
Bottom
Roots
A R E CLEA R A N CE
P LA N TS REALLY A
BA R G A IN ?
First, look at
the foliage and reject any
plant with mushy,
withered, or disease-
spotted leaves. Then, if
there are no insects
(even under the leaves),
gently slip the plant out
of its pot and check the
roots. If the roots are soft
and black or slimy, put
the pot down and walk
away. Smooth, white
roots,
above,
are a good
sign. Dense, tangled roots
that fill the pot,
left,
can
mean that the plant is
root-bound, but you may
be able to rejuvenate it by
slicing through the roots
at the bottom of the
clump before you plant.
TOOLS & ■ TIPS FOR EVERYONE WHO' LOVES TO' DIG '
by SUSAN APPLEGET HURST
lO O JULY2009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
PHOTO: KRITSADA
