Replanting a containerized boxwood | I wasn't expecting that! | The Impatient Gardener

I wasn't expecting what I found when I went to repot this containerized boxwood.
Organic Mechanics provided products for me to use in this video.
Organic Mechanics Container Blend Potting Soil: organicmechani...
Organic Mechanics Biochar Blend: organicmechani...
My name is Erin and I love sharing inspiration and information with real-life gardeners. I live and garden in southeastern Wisconsin, zone 5.
#boxwood #containergarden #TheImpatientGardener
If you liked this video give it a thumbs up and if you loved it, please subscribe and click the bell so you never miss a new video! Thank you for your support.
🌿Blog: www.theimpatie...
🌿Facebook: / impatientgardener
🌿Instagram: / impatientgardener
📩 [e-mail]
Mail to:
The Impatient Gardener
125 E. Main St.
Port Washington, WI 53074
Some affiliate links may appear. I may make a small commission if you purchase through these links. Thanks for your support. You can see all my favorite products on my Amazon storefront:
Music: www.bensound.com

[@SteveL2012]

Love your videos because they are practical and unvarnished. Some other channels I frequent tend to be curated in a way that makes gardening seem more magical than it is! I enjoy them but prefer your down to earth (literally) style. This boxwood looks incredibly heathy given that root system, so perhaps I’m reconsidering the magic part. Appreciate you and your great content!

[@lurveit]

"I dont know... i dont know if it will live" Me. With everything that I do to the garden. 😂🤷‍♀️

[@karentemple5619]

I swear I heard the boxwood say "oh that feels so much better!" Good job.

[@greatgardensforall]

I needed this! I have a number of boxwoods in pots but one has been there for 11 years! No fertilizer, nothing. I think it’s time to report 😂

[@jessicamoran8962]

Awe... I watch you too. It's fun to see you leave a comment. Good luck!

[@bluesky7226]

Don't you just love it when your quick projects take half the day!🤔🤔

[@starlakelsey2782]

Amazing how some plants just seem to will themselves to stay alive. I really want to see this one survive. Good luck and keep us posted on it!

[@Melanietucker]

I know you didn’t want this to happen. But it’s SO helpful for all of us to see. Thanks for taking the time to show us.

[@jstallings2070]

I can’t believe how healthy that box looked given the root ball. I like your mismatched gloves! 😀

[@wendywilson81]

Hi! New subscriber from Ohio here. I was watching and suddenly jumped and said “OMG BEAR! There’s a bear behind you!” ...oh wait. That’s a dog 🤣

[@KYMMEESJOURNEY]

That boxwood is going to love you more

[@PrairiePlantgirl]

That boxwood is a survivor. I bet it will be so happy now that its roots are free to roam. If it survived five years in the other conditions hopefully this just makes it better.

[@kerrydibiasio3784]

Crossing our fingers that guy makes it! Very beautiful.

[@teresab6502]

That’s a beautiful boxwood. Hope your efforts will save it.

[@carolynimboden3382]

This is the story of my garden life. Every project takes so much more time than I think it will. That is tenacious shrub! It may have trouble living the good life.

[@chrisk7913]

I knew it, we are sisters; first gardening in flip-flops and now non-mated gloves. Love it!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I can’t tell you how long it took me to find a right hand glove! Where did they all go? With the socks?

[@michelleempie2423]

Congratulations on the partnership Erin!!! I am unfamiliar with Organic Mechanics, but that is really exciting to hear that they are peat free, I will have to look around and see if I can source some locally. Loved this video, and the impromptu problem solving it showed!

[@lisawalters5482]

Oden is a perfect embellishment to the newly repotted shrub. Lol. Those roots were ridiculous. Hope it lives. 🙋🏻‍♀️🌸👏🏻

[@vmcougarintn5035]

Your tiny puppy has the best idea. Just lay there and soak up the sunshine! LOL I hope that boxwood makes it! We'll cross our fingers. Thanks for sharing.

[@marilynruggeberg]

I Love how your Dog really has absolutely No Interest in what you are doing 😁. I hope you will update us on how this plant fares after the work you had to do on it. I'm surprised too that it has grown so well. I thought your major problem was going to be getting it out of that Pot after 5 years, I expected the Root Ball to be Massive.

[@amyhoff1501]

Like many of your fans I hope too that this beautiful boxwood will survive and at the same time surprised it made it this long. Keeping my fingers crossed, happy gardening!

[@emilyr.6542]

OMG THOSE ROOTS! We’ll need an update on that one for sure.

[@dianehatley691]

Yep, real life in the garden. Thanks for sharing!

[@karenross3457]

It was help to see what one does with a plant that is horribly root bound.

[@lyla.aisle.of.blooms]

Seems like every single "Quick project" in my garden does the same thing! Hope the boxwood makes it!

[@klk12399]

Thanks for showing the good, bad and ugly. It's nice to know it happens to all of us.

[@-sstevens5444]

Nice to see how to solve surprises. . . Keep us posted please.

[@anitahadley2871]

If it could live like it was for that long I think it will be okay. I love that container and that it has feet.

[@beckyscheller9358]

Please show a flow up later on. Hope it makes it. Love the pot also.

[@HowsItGrowing]

I really need to reevaluate my life. I missed this video completely! I will have you know, I stayed up, half asleep, just to watch you and give you a big thumbs up. The boxwood looked pretty amazing considering. I hope it makes it, it's so pretty and a great shape.

[@joannadolle6420]

Ha! I couldn’t help but laugh at this one. We pulled out a boxwood a few months ago for an electrical unit install and left it sitting on the lawn. I thought it was dead but decided to throw it into the ground and talk nicely to it. It’s putting on lots of new growth and just happy as a clam now! Ha! I feel hopeful yours will be alllll good!!

[@gingerlawson9612]

Stay positive about the boxwood and keep us updated on it. That was a sweet loveable face on your Newfoundlander. Stay safe and garden on till the next time.

[@ip4265]

The plant itself looks 'happy' and healthy. So, I wonder if it even needs a large root system the size of this metal container. I would probably replant in a smaller plastic nursery pot (slightly bigger than the current root ball) with excellent drainage and then place it in your metal container on a layer of gravel or exclay. That way you can 'baby' it until you see new growth which will probably indicate root system recovery. Anyway, I hope it survives! Thanks for sharing, Erin! Love your videos! Good luck!

[@Sullivan_Owen]

So glad to see you partner with Organic Mechanics! I LOVE their container mix and so do my plants, having a little trouble accessing the quantities I need this season so I've had to use whatever I can safely round up and I can see a difference in the containers.

[@bunnyfrancis7006]

Bless the boxwood. You are a real life gardener.......that's what happens. Thanks for sharing and not hiding it away from the rest of us.

[@cockatielnation5425]

Keep us updated! All my projects are like that too!

[@helencortecero9017]

Plants are amazing. I’m sure it’s loving the new soil. Keep us posted.❤️

[@junesmart7352]

WOW what a sight! And I'm glad you showed us it is okay to be brave and just lunge in for root surgery. Yes, the plant would have suffered withOUT surgery, so this risk will probably pay off.

[@therapywithisabel]

Story of my gardening life. Oh, thank you :)

[@kyrieteleison3009]

Beautiful plant and I love your channel!

[@valiumsurbanjungle2041]

Heh, the "easy" projects are usually the ones that turn into huuuge, time consuming marathons, aren't they? This tree sure wants to live and grow though!!!! I think it'll be so happy now. Odin is so so so cuuuute, have a great day!! 😊

[@ouchstopclicking]

Yes! Love to see you going peat-free :)

[@karynlarkin]

Thanks for both choosing to use peat-free products in your garden and for choosing a peat-free products producer to partner with. Really classy. :) Perhaps (without getting too soapbox-y) you might explain to folks why you decided to go peat-free? Just a thought. Might help people make informed decisions when they are looking to buy potting soil, etc. Love you channel. Happy Earth Day!

[@greenthumbelina7331]

Erin, I love that big ice scoop that you are using to add extra soil to the planter. I ordered one like it about a month ago when I saw you using it, that sure makes filling big pots much easier! I'm older and getting shorter, and I have a hard time wrestling with the 2 cubic foot bags. Your boxwood is beautiful, I hope it survives and flourishes in the planter. I cut a huge boxwood down, almost to the ground 5 years ago and it is nearly 5 ft tall now! Mine was planted directly into the ground, which I'm sure made a difference. I have two smaller boxwoods growing in urns by my front door, I need to check their rootballs. Thanks for this timely video! ~Margie

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

Awe, poor boxwood! I would've never guessed that either! Hope it pulls through. Make sure to give it extra attention, it looks like it's a fighter and wants to live. I love the shape of it on top... reminds me of a Christmas tree. Congratulations on your new partnership! You mentioned wanting to get away from using peat but didn't say why. I'm clueless with soil mixtures and know just enough about fertilizer to be dangerous, so was just wondering! Edit: Oops, saw in another comment that you already answered the question about peat. Hmm, why am I just hearing about this? I'm always out of the loop...

[@sherrillschwalich6937]

Hi Erin! I always learn something new when watching your videos. Thanks! QUESTION: Is the reason you don't like peat in your potting mix because it's not renewable?

[@beckiskiss]

Good morning, so happy to be outside. Enjoy your day 🌸💞✌

[@bellam5394]

omgosh my heart almost dropped I thought it was a bear behind you 😅

[@kimeeegngarden4887]

Hi Erin, I'm pretty sure you need to prune that guy stat! I've learned from experience that you should reduce the foliage above if you have to lose a portion of the rootball. The plant will likely struggle to support the top with a reduced support system below. I know it's a bit early up there, but you could always slide that plant inside the garage if the temps look dicey?? Cold may be the lesser threat at this point. Keep up the good work friend. :o) PS - I'm really glad you mentioned the "Peat" issue...I thought everyone was clued in on that issue, but I'm noticing many comments otherwise.

[@carmenbailey8209]

Great job, I’m sure the end results will paid off. Just knowing you were able to keep I healthy looking for five years says a lot . Thanks for sharing and good luck 👍❤️😊

[@myjude4812]

Hello finally someone talks about when you should change or repot your potted plants. I have several large potted plants around my house and they have been in those pots for at least 3-4 years. When are you suppose to change the soil ? Like small trees and scrubs. Are you always suppose to cut the roots if they become root bounded ?

[@SoilandMargaritas]

I'm glad to see that I am not the only one that forgets to double check for "drainage holes" ... I have killed a handful of things by missing this little detail ... those roots are so tiny for that massive boxwood.. good luck with it.

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I’m so mad at Erin from years ago. What the heck was I thinking with just that one little drainage hole?

[@sharongrimaldi8958]

I think she (your boxwood) is a tough one! I think she will rebound and I love how your dog is keeping it company.

[@deananderson2143]

It'll do just fine

[@gaylschubert5700]

Lol time for another G&T!

[@maryglidden2943]

Love your channel and love this honest video! Am wondering if you have done an update on the boxwood? Would love to know how it is doing!

[@poples5799]

If you've got a rootball like this and don't want to cut the roots, you could do what Peter Chan at Herons Bonsai does and tease the roots out using a small tool (I forget what it's called).

[@imahappygal1]

Green mountain boxes are tuff little guys! Mine are. Hope he grows, I think he will.😁

[@terrijohnson2191]

Hi Erin, I have learned from Jim of HortTube that trimming the plant back a third of its size helps the root system put more energy into re-establishing a vigorous growth habit. Since it doesn't look like it has pushed out any new spring growth, it may help to prune it back at least 1/4th it's size 😕. It truly is pretty right now. Here's hoping you have given the boxwood just what it needs 👍.

[@denisewaller307]

Awe! It’s sad. It wants to be in the ground❤️

[@TheImpatientGardener]

All those girdled roots still in the shape of the nursery container wouldn’t have done anything different in the ground than it did in that pot.

[@christinepops5100]

So surprising to see the roots because the boxwood plant looks so happy and healthy! And you didn't show it in this video but I absolutely love the trellis across the front of your garage. I don't remember ever seeing anything growing on it in previous garden tours and wonder why?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

It’s a tough spot to grow things in. I grow annual vines in the trough planter by the access door but they never get big enough to make their way across it. I decided last year to let the climbing hydrangea on the north side of the garage start coming around the corner to perhaps eventually make its way over to the pergola. We’ll see how that works out. If it were sunny there I’d grow a vine where the boxwood is.

[@Finnswife3]

Did you say why you’re moving away from peat?

[@annapeitasimecek6859]

Smaller jobs always turn bigger jobs!? 💚

[@judyhaddad1406]

Yes, please tell us why you don’t like Peat. Love your videos!

[@gaillam9574]

Because Boxwood is awesome like that. They don’t care if there roots are cut to fit a container or if you have to pull it out of the ground and replant somewhere else. They don’t mind any of this. Even then, Boxwood still looks great, as if noting happened! 😃

[@deananderson2143]

Good morning have a nice day

[@JeanTOM-qb5dm]

Would love updates on this plant as the year progresses. Thx!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

We will definitely check in on it!

[@gardeningbyheart4912]

I have a boxwood tree on my back patio, also in a large pot. It too has been in that pot for almost 6 years. I think I probably need to check on it as well. Yikes!

[@Kischme71]

Isn't that always the way? Dog modeled so nice for you!

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

Wow! It will do much better after the TLC...just make sure to trim a bit off the entire plant to give the roots a chance to catch up. Throw some cheese cloth over it for frost bite.

[@mariahk8889]

You should give an update on your temporary greenhouse!

[@jessicamoran8962]

Why not peat? When I ask about mixing my own planting mix, peat is always included in the advice I receive.

[@ginger76661]

Why do you want to reduce the peat in garden? I always thought its good for drainage in heavy clay soils?

[@gardeningjunkie2267]

Peat attracts fungus gnats besides for the environmental factor.

[@willhigginbotham6748]

I've used peat moss HEAVILY in past garden projects but no more. I have since learned that using peat moss is extremely environmentally unfriendly. It takes many, many years to grow and we're depleting it at an unsustainable rate. We all need to move away from using peat moss.

[@nanapoppi3]

I hope your boxwood survives now that it's gotten a big dose of TLC.

[@judithmingram6144]

I think you planted too low. The soil will compact and go even lower. Your lower branches are already below the rim and will get even lower. Love your channel and loved shaped boxwoods!

[@willhigginbotham6748]

Love the video per usual Erin! Have you had any experience using biochar? I'm planting 32 boxwoods for a hedge in a raised bed this spring and am wondering if I should add biochar as an amendment. Spring is finally upon us! :)

[@davidallan8861]

Very interesting clip. It is now a year later, is the tree still alive ??!!

[@reneewengerd5125]

Beautiful boxwood & pot!! I really enjoy your videos. Question, when you over winter a boxwood in a pot in a garage. How do you harden it off to move it outside in the spring?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

My garage is unheated so my main concern when. I move them back out (in early to mid-April typically) is to protect them from light. I use that thin row cover fabric around them for a couple weeks to help acclimate them.

[@DawnRenae22]

Ditto the Q below: why don’t you want to use peat moss, asks the newbie gardener who just added peat moss to 12 new plants in her garden yesterday?

[@greatgardensforall]

Dawn Renae Carson peat is a nonrenewable resource and is a vital part of wetland protection 😊

[@carmenc4926]

Y Garden thank you for answering. I thought the same thing.

[@GrowingAGreenFinger]

it is really weird how the box wood never stretched out it's roots? Your dogs are so much better on camera than mine🤣 Please do a follow up on the boxwood in a couple of months.

[@temkem7]

Love that pot where can I purchase one or two or three?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I got it from Restoration Hardware. Not sure if they still carry that one. Also, I’ve had good luck get pots at more reasonable prices at the RH outlet store, in case you have one near you.

[@melepling2742]

Love the boxwood in that container. Where did the container come from? Classic. I want one!

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Restoration Hardware. I'm not sure if they carry that style anymore but I have had semi good luck checking their outlet store for pots as well.

[@sofiadawdani]

Hi, I love your gardening style.. Can you please update if the boxwood survived the pruning? I am also planning to prune my boxwood.

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Sofia, I regret to inform you that this boxwood was DOA. I think it was actually pretty much dead when I repotted it, because it never greened up or showed any sign of growth this year. I think those roots were just way too root bound and too small to survive. I'm shocked it lived as long as it it. I left it dead in the pot for most of the summer because from a distance you couldn't tell. LOL.

[@margaretpervier8357]

😊❤️🐾❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MissKatelynLindberg]

Did it survive? Lol mine will need a refresh one day too 🤓

[@Bomond777]

🌲💯👍

[@jackiesplanthaven]

That boxwood looks healthy even though that problem was discovered. Is there an update on how it is doing?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Oh there was a follow up video some where. Fully dead.

[@jackiesplanthaven]

@@TheImpatientGardener Oh dear. I will look for that video. I have a root-bound boxwood that I am transplanting and I want to know how much of the root ball to disturb.

[@trishadiprete789]

I love that container, will you share where I might find one.

[@lindalaverty4070]

Can you share more about why you want to avoid peat?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I should have addressed that more clearly. I think it's easier to cover it in another video, so I'll talk about it a little in a video I'm working on this weekend.

[@lindalaverty4070]

@@TheImpatientGardener Thank you!

[@susanlettis9085]

Great video and hello to the puppies! Curious about peat moss - why do you stay away from it? (I suppose I could google this - maybe it is a limited natural resource or something?).

[@LessTalkMoreDelicious]

Doggie!! 🐶😍

[@janetstanley8840]

Looks beautiful! Just curious, why didn’t you use Espoma Biotone to promote root growth?

[@julieblauvelt1649]

Erin, great job on the boxwood. Can I ask two questions: where did you get the pots and why are you trying to not use peat moss? Thx

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Julie Blauvelt I got the pot from Restoration Hardware. It was my first foray down the road of expensive containers and I haven’t regretted spending money on a good container yet. I’m a little concerned about the rust on the bottom though, which suggests it’s not going to last as long as I had planned. As for peat, my concern is the environmental impact. Peat bogs are among the biggest carbon sinks on the planet and harvesting from these ancient bogs releases a lot of what would otherwise be trapped carbon into the atmosphere. Most of our peat here comes from Canada where there are large peat bogs and there is discussion about sound harvesting practices. My thought is that if there are perfectly good peat-free options, why even go there? Also, if you’ve ever used a soil with a lot of peat, you know that it’s virtually impossible to rewet it if it gets dried out. I know I’m not totally peat free here but this is a big step in the right direction for me. Here’s an article on the peat issue: www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/should-sustainable-gardeners-use-peat-moss/2017/05/09/1fc746f0-3118-11e7-9534-00e4656c22aa_story.html

[@laurenwellman2516]

What size is that pot? I want to do something similar and flank my front door with a couple of evergreens in containers.

[@christinepops5100]

Thanks for addressing the peat moss issue, I see a lot of discussion about it on Gardeners World and from English gardeners but not so much in the U.S. and it does seem to be an ingredient in most soil mixes.

[@joseysuiter5472]

Great video, Erin! Where can I get an “Impatient Gardener” baseball cap??? I am in desperate need. :)

[@glenloderhose5331]

What is the reason you don't use peat. Is it because the depletion of the peat Bogs.

[@jeannet9592]

Your dog!

[@MrsJar63]

I would love to know more about how you are over-wintering your boxwood as I spend over $250 every year on boxwood for my planters! I live in 5a growing zone and have access to several unheated outbuildings but none have windows. My garage does have windows but it's heated and doesn't offer much room for my pots, just wondering since these are dormant if they need sunlight or not through the winter months??

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Jill R Mine only gets a small amount of light through a small window and it seems to do fine.

[@MrsJar63]

@@TheImpatientGardener Do you water them during the time they are inside?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Jill R Yes, about once every 4-6 weeks.

[@OhSidney]

Did it survive?

[@shirleygermain5707]

I would put bricks under the pot.

[@marionengelbach6519]

How is that plant doing now? I am facing the same problem but did not dare cut the roots....

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Oh very much dead. In fact I believe it was probably already dead when I repotted it.

[@marionengelbach6519]

@@TheImpatientGardener I just found your garden update video mentioning the fate of the tree at the end 😟… thank you !

[@wesleyhackney]

If it’s broke don’t fix it. Sounds like it was happy before you did surgery on it for last 6 years but what do I know just seemed like if it showed no sign of stress and you were keeping it in the same pot all would have been ok.