Goji berries are packed with antioxidants, easy to grow, and perfect for home gardeners—but if you’re planting a bare root goji berry, your first priority should be watering it correctly. While gojis are known to be tough once established, they need special care in the beginning.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to water goji berry plants before and after planting, what to do during drought, and how to give your gojis the best possible start.
🪣 Before Planting: Soak the Roots
Just like with most bare root plants, soak your goji berry’s roots in clean water for 4–12 hours before planting.
This helps:
- Rehydrate the root system after shipping,
- Wake the plant from dormancy,
- Minimize transplant shock and jumpstart early growth.
💡 Don’t soak for more than 24 hours. Be sure to plant immediately after soaking.
🌱 Step 1: Water Deeply After Planting
After planting, water your goji berry deeply and slowly. This is one of the most important steps you can take. It:
- Eliminates air pockets,
- Helps soil settle around the roots,
- Begins hydration and encourages rooting.
✅ For best results, use Soil Moist Transplant Mix in the planting hole. It stores water and slowly releases it as needed—especially useful in hot or sandy soils.
🗓️ Weeks 1–2: Moisture Is Critical
During the first two weeks:
- Water every 2–3 days, especially in warm or windy conditions.
- Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
- If the leaves droop or curl, your plant is signaling that it’s thirsty—water immediately.
💧 Young goji berries depend on steady hydration to anchor their roots and grow new foliage.
🗓️ Weeks 3–8: Deep Watering, Less Often
As your goji begins to establish:
- Water once or twice per week, depending on rainfall and soil drainage.
- Mulch with 2–3 inches of organic material to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Water at the base—gojis dislike having wet leaves, which can lead to fungal issues.
Avoid letting the soil dry out completely during these early months.
☀️ Drought Conditions: Gojis Are Tough—But Not Yet
Mature goji berry plants can tolerate drought—but not during the first few months after planting.
In drought:
- Water deeply 2x per week, using 1–2 gallons per plant.
- Water early in the morning or late in the day to reduce evaporation.
- Mulch generously and reapply as needed.
- Use Soil Moist Transplant Mix to increase water retention and reduce stress.
🌿 A single dry spell can kill a young goji—consistency is key in the beginning.
🍒 Where’s the Best Place to Buy Bare Root Goji Berry Plants?
That’s easy—Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC!
Why?
- ✅ Top-quality bare root goji berry plants
- ✅ Fast shipping so you can plant at the right time
- ✅ Lowest prices on rare & productive varieties
- ✅ FREE 1-Year Plantsurance Guarantee
→ Store credit if your plant doesn’t survive
→ Zero Stress. All Success.
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