Bare-root trees are usually a 2" caliper or less, because larger sizes do not transplant well as bare-root plants. Caliper is the diameter of a tree stem, measured 6" above the ground.

Bare root plants usually start coming into nurseries in late December and are available through January. Lucky us, bare root season coincides with our (hoped for) winter rains.

Bare-root plants should be planted soon after purchase. If you need to take a few days before getting your plant in the ground, keep the roots covered with moist sawdust until you are ready to plant.

Buying bare root stock is also less expensive and easier (less expensive) to ship. All the bare root plants I have put in so far have done extremely well.

Also, most bare root plants aren’t going to be that spectacular (or bloom) the first year or two. But in a few years, you’ll have strong, healthy plants for a fraction of the price of mature ...

Bare root plants survive transport without dirt because they are packed and shipped while they're in the dormant stage. During the dormant stage, plants stop growing and conserve energy to make it ...

If you have chosen trees, shrubs or perennials you’d like to add to your garden this spring, consider trying to buy them as bare-root plants. “They can cost less, because nobody’s paying to ...

1. Time it right According to Morris, the best time for bare root roses to be planted is during the dormant period (November to March) as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged.

I ordered some bare root shrubs by mail and would like some advice on how to achieve the best results in planting them. — Ed Reilly, Warrenville Bare root plants are dug from the field while ...

Normally, bare-root plants come with the roots in a plastic bag filled with sawdust. Be aware, however, that some stores sell them with the roots contained in boxes.

New landscape plants are best planted as soon as possible after they arrive, but gardeners often need to delay planting due to early shipping, weather delays or simply lack of time in busy schedules.