There are no “if,” “ands,” or “buts” about it: buying bareroot is a gardener’s best-kept secret.
They’re often passed up for the fully flushed out deciduous plants but here’s the deal, with bareroot, you’re getting just as large of a plant that ships easier, is less susceptible to damage, and costs less for you!
Back to Basics: What is a Bareroot Plant?
These are trees or shrubs that are kept in their dormant stage for shipping. Picture a leafless tree in the middle of winter and that’s a lot like what you’ll receive in the mail.
Don’t worry though, just like the trees outside in the early spring, these hardy plants are just weeks away from looking exactly like their container-grown brothers and sisters.
Alright, But Why All the Fuss?
There are so many reasons bareroot plants are superior in terms of shipping that we’ve made it simple with a list:
- They’re less susceptible to damage! Uprooting these plants while they’re dormant takes full advantage of the natural toughness they use to combat harsh winters.
- They cost less! For us to ship, and thus for you to buy. The packing material is lightweight, stackable, and a breeze to get from us to you.
- They’re so much easier to plant! Heavy pots and soil can be a real hassle when it comes to planting so let’s take them out of the equation.
- They’ll establish quicker! It’s true, plants shipped without soil often have larger root systems which means a higher success rate for you.
I’ve Heard Bareroot is Harder to Plant
It’s no harder than planting a tree that comes in a pot, we promise. As with any plant, you’ll want to get your bareroot plants in the ground as quickly as possible after it arrives on your doorstep.
Don’t get too speedy about it though, before planting it in its forever home, make sure to soak the roots in water for anywhere between 1 and 24 hours in a shady spot.
Once you take it out of its pre-planting bath, trim off any damaged roots and stick it in the hole you’ve dug for it. The hole should be big enough to accommodate the expanded root bundle without any chance of overcrowding.
Backfill in with dirt while making sure your tree is straight (crooked planting happens more often than you’d think so be careful) and water in thoroughly. Piece of Cake!
Where are the Bareroot Plants on Naturehills.com?
During bareroot season (roughly anytime from when they’re dug up in the fall all the way into June) you can find bare root plants all over our site. They’ll be listed as a size option on our plant pages.
Browse for your favorite deciduous plants and simply go for the bareroot option as you find them (they’re easier to find than eggs during your annual easter hunt).
However, if we’ve convinced you that bareroot is the best way to go, keep a lookout for bareroot options.
If you’re on the hunt for fruit specifically, you'll want to hang out in the Fruit Trees & Plants page.
Finally, if shrubs are at the forefront of your mind, we’ve got a place for you too. Check out our Shrubs and start making your garden dreams a low-cost high-reward reality! Happy Gardening!
For a more in depth walkthrough of how to plant your bareroot, check out our video:
