I much prefer bareroot if I have to mail-order a tree or shrub I can't source locally (which is always a first preference). One thing I have learned the hard way is to check reviews on the nursery and avoid ones which have complaints on shipping delays - a package of bare-root plants not shipped in a timely manner may break dormancy while sitting around waiting on shipment, and that's a disaster on arrival or in freezing conditions in transit. Similarly, be cautious on shipment times, I have had more than one order wander around through the post until they showed up later than planned! Can't do much about that part, though.
I've had to remind myself that even though I live in a more southern locale, the plants may be coming from a colder place. Also, never order in the month before Christmas.
Our acreage is reclaimed corn/soybean fields. Have experienced much better performance from bare root stock. One indicator is that during our first year the only thing that grew well in the garden was potatoes. After that we moved to raised beds.
There’s a gentleman on this app who also started out on a plot traditional corn/soy. He’s doing great things. You should be able to find him by searching @laverne
Bare root is usually only sold by the folks that are also shipping trees out, either the local guys that I am doing local pickup, or the state conservation, or the mail order companies.
Some people prefer bare root because:
1. They can get the trees established before it gets hot (really important in Kansas).
2. They can minimize disease that may come in the soil with a potted plant.
3. They soak the bare root trees in a bucket of water for 1-2 days before planting.
4. Better selection than may be found locally sold in pots.
Disadvantages:
Bare root trees often arrive with the roots exposed and dried out - especially from state conservation or out of state shipments that sit in the post office or UPS truck over the weekend. Sometimes the roots are damaged since they don’t have the shock absorption of soil.
I much prefer bareroot if I have to mail-order a tree or shrub I can't source locally (which is always a first preference). One thing I have learned the hard way is to check reviews on the nursery and avoid ones which have complaints on shipping delays - a package of bare-root plants not shipped in a timely manner may break dormancy while sitting around waiting on shipment, and that's a disaster on arrival or in freezing conditions in transit. Similarly, be cautious on shipment times, I have had more than one order wander around through the post until they showed up later than planned! Can't do much about that part, though.
This is great info Cedar! I think I’ll include this with your name in the next newsletter so that everyone can learn from it!
Yes, I have had cuttings and plant starts freeze while sitting in shipment somewhere.
I've had to remind myself that even though I live in a more southern locale, the plants may be coming from a colder place. Also, never order in the month before Christmas.
Order from a colder place (like Michigan) and you don’t get them til May, which is borderline too late to plant in Kansas, in my opinion.
Seeds (and trees) have a memory. They thrived where they sprouted or grew.
I have killed a lot of trees from elsewhere, so I grow as much of my own as possible, or get them from as close as possible.
Our acreage is reclaimed corn/soybean fields. Have experienced much better performance from bare root stock. One indicator is that during our first year the only thing that grew well in the garden was potatoes. After that we moved to raised beds.
There’s a gentleman on this app who also started out on a plot traditional corn/soy. He’s doing great things. You should be able to find him by searching @laverne
Great article!
Some additional thoughts:
Bare root is usually only sold by the folks that are also shipping trees out, either the local guys that I am doing local pickup, or the state conservation, or the mail order companies.
Some people prefer bare root because:
1. They can get the trees established before it gets hot (really important in Kansas).
2. They can minimize disease that may come in the soil with a potted plant.
3. They soak the bare root trees in a bucket of water for 1-2 days before planting.
4. Better selection than may be found locally sold in pots.
Disadvantages:
Bare root trees often arrive with the roots exposed and dried out - especially from state conservation or out of state shipments that sit in the post office or UPS truck over the weekend. Sometimes the roots are damaged since they don’t have the shock absorption of soil.
This is great information! Thank you! 🙏🏼