How to Plant Pleurisy Root Tubers

Weed and till a planting bed that has moderately fertile, fast-draining soil and is in a sunny site. Avoid using a planting site in shade or with heavy soil because it may cause poor growth or rot in pleurisy root tubers. Incorporate a 3-inch-deep layer of compost in the soil if it is clay-based or very poor soil.

Plan to dig up pleurisy root tubers in autumn several weeks before the average first frost date in your location. That amount of time is enough for them to become established in a new bed before cold weather arrives. Water the tubers' soil to a 5-inch depth the night before you want to dig up the tubers. The water will soften the soil.

Measure 4 inches around a pleurisy root plant. The majority of roots should be within those 4 inches; the goal is to dig up most of the plant's roots along with the tubers. Stick the tines of a garden fork at least 10 inches deep into the soil at the 4-inch mark, and gently pry the plant's root ball loose from the ground.

Lift the plant's root ball from the ground. Crumble away its soil carefully. Cut the plump tubers into 2- to 3-inch-long segments using a very sharp knife, ensuring each tuber has at least one bud. The buds are roughly 2 inches from each other. Cut straight through each tuber rather than using a sawing motion because jagged edges increase the likelihood of rot occurring.

Dig a hole for each pleurisy root tuber segment in the prepared planting bed. Space the holes 1 to 2 feet apart, and make them roughly 3 inches deep. The holes need to be deep enough for each tuber segment to be covered with 1 to 2 inches of soil. Place one tuber segment in each hole with the segment's bud facing sideways, and cover each segment loosely with soil. Water the planting bed, settling the soil.

Water the pleurisy root tubers' soil during the winter months only when no rain falls for longer than two weeks, providing 1 inch of water weekly until normal precipitation resumes. Avoid making the soil soggy. Wet soil may cause the tubers to rot.

Watch for sprouts and stem growth in late spring, after soil temperatures have warmed for several months. Spread a 2-inch-deep layer of mulch on the soil surface between the pleurisy root plants that emerge from the soil. Don't allow the mulch to touch the plants. Mulch protects roots and conserves soil moisture.

Let the pleurisy root plants grow undisturbed for up to 10 years before lifting and dividing their tubers. Keep the surrounding area weeded, and provide 1 inch of water each week during the summer months to encourage healthy plant growth.