What to Expect When Purchasing Bare Root:
Fruit trees average 2-4’ in height, and berry bushes average 1-2’ in height.
Bare root plants come without soil around their roots. The roots are packed in moist sawdust to prevent drying, and must be kept moist and covered at all times.
Store in a cool, dark place until you are able to plant. Alternatively, “heel in” the plants by laying them on their sides and covering the roots with compost, soil or wood chips.
Plant as soon as possible after receiving in late fall or early spring to allow the roots time to establish before the ground freezes and/or the plant begins growing.
Plants are field grown, and can only be dug and transplanted after most of their leaves have fallen, but before the ground freezes in the fall or the plant begins leafing out in the spring. This can be a narrow window in Northern Vermont, often occurring around early to mid-November and mid-late April for many plants.
Mulching the ground ahead of time can help delay freezing if planting in the fall, or prepare the site if planting in the spring. The same mulch can then be reapplied around the plants to insulate the roots through winter and suppress weeds/retain moisture during the growing season.
Please review our planting guide and prepare ahead of time as much as possible.
Prune out any dead or damaged branches, but avoid any major pruning (excepting broken or diseased branches, overly crowded branches, or any that are growing in the wrong direction) until the tree has begun bearing.
Happy planting!