Planting Guide

This guide is designed to help ensure the success of your plantings. If bare-root plants and cuttings are new to you, please read through this guide as the process is different from potted plants.

When you Receive Your Plants

Bare-root plants should be planted as soon as possible. Unlike potted plants, bare-root plants can be planted in cold weather as long as the soil isn’t frozen. If you are unable to plant as soon as you receive your shipment, it is vital that they are stored properly. 

Storing Bare-Root Trees & Shrubs

  • As soon as you receive your shipment, we recommend soaking the roots in water for an hour before storing your trees. 
  • If you cannot plant trees immediately wrap tree roots tightly back into a moist sawdust medium and place in a cool, dark area where they won’t freeze. Check on them regularly to ensure that the roots are staying moist (not wet), adding small amounts of water if necessary.
  • If you are unable to plant the trees for more than a week, we recommend “heeling” them into the soil or compost, as follows:
  • Bury the roots of the trees in a hole in the ground or in your compost pile. 
  • Ensure that the roots are completely covered in a thick layer of soil and that there are no major air pockets.
  • Gently water the trees to help settle the soil and remove air pockets.
  • You can keep your trees heeled in until the buds begin to swell, at which point they should be planted immediately. However, we recommend planting your trees/shrubs as soon as you receive them well before buds begin to swell.

Storing Bare-Root Perennial Wildflowers & Cuttings

We recommend storing bare-root perennial wildflowers in the refrigerator. If refrigerated space is not available, keep the plants in a cool, dark area where they won’t freeze. Your plants will be shipped in a bag of sawdust and should remain tightly wrapped in that medium until they are planted. If the medium begins to dry out, add small amounts of water to keep it moist (not wet).