Fruitful Landscapes

Shipping & Planting Guide

Our naturally grown bare-root plants are dug and shipped while dormant, giving them a safe and healthy start in their new home.

This guide explains when your plants will ship, what they will look like when they arrive, and how to care for them during their first days in your garden.

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Bare-root plants prepared by Fruitful Landscapes
1

Shipped While Dormant

Plants are shipped during the fall and spring while they are naturally resting.

2

Roots Protected for Transit

Bare roots are carefully protected and kept moist during shipment.

3

Ready for a Healthy Start

Plant promptly, water thoroughly, and allow the plant time to establish.

Shipping Seasons

When Will My Plants Ship?

Bare-root plants are shipped during the spring and fall while they are dormant. Dormancy is the safest time to dig, transport, and transplant woody plants because they are not actively supporting leaves, flowers, or fruit.

Orders may be placed ahead of the shipping season. We will hold your plants until they are dormant and conditions are appropriate for safe digging and delivery.

  • Spring orders ship while plants are still dormant.
  • Fall orders ship after plants have naturally entered dormancy.
  • Exact timing may vary with weather, dormancy, and your destination.
  • You will receive an email when your order has shipped.
  • Tracking information will be provided when available.

Why We Do Not Promise One Exact Shipping Date

Plants follow the weather rather than the calendar. Waiting until they are properly dormant helps protect their health and gives them the best possible start after transplanting.

What to Expect

How Your Plants Will Arrive

Your plants will arrive bare-root, meaning they are shipped without a pot or heavy ball of soil. The roots are protected with moist packing material and enclosed to help retain moisture during transit.

Because the plants are dormant, they may arrive without leaves and may look very different from a potted plant displayed at a garden center. This is completely normal.

  • The branches may be bare with no visible leaves.
  • The roots should be protected and slightly moist.
  • Plant size, branching, and shape will naturally vary.
  • Some stems may be shortened when necessary for safe shipping.
  • New growth will begin after planting when conditions are right.

A Dormant Plant Is Not a Dead Plant

Dormant plants are resting. Some varieties leaf out earlier than others, and root growth may begin before you see visible growth above the soil.

Upon Delivery

What to Do When Your Plants Arrive

  1. Open the package promptly.
    Remove the plants from the box soon after delivery so you can inspect them and make sure the roots remain protected.
  2. Check the roots.
    The roots should be flexible and slightly moist. Do not allow them to dry out.
  3. Prepare the planting area.
    Choose the permanent location and dig a hole wide enough for the roots to spread naturally.
  4. Soak briefly if needed.
    If the roots seem dry, soak them in clean water for approximately one to two hours before planting. Do not leave them submerged for an extended period.
  5. Plant as soon as reasonably possible.
    The sooner the roots are back in the ground, the sooner the plant can begin establishing itself.
  6. Water thoroughly.
    After planting, water deeply to settle the soil around the roots and remove large air pockets.

Temporary Storage

What If I Cannot Plant Right Away?

Planting promptly is best, but a short delay is usually manageable when the plant is kept cool and the roots remain moist.

Keep the Plant Cool

Store it in a cool, protected location such as an unheated garage, shed, or another place where it will remain dormant.

Protect the Roots

Leave the roots wrapped in their moist packing material. Check them periodically and lightly moisten the material if necessary.

Avoid Warm Indoor Rooms

Warm temperatures may cause the plant to begin waking before it can be planted outdoors.

Do Not Leave Roots in Water

A short pre-planting soak is fine, but prolonged submersion can deprive roots of oxygen.

If Planting Will Be Delayed Longer

Temporarily burying the roots in loose soil or mulch—often called “heeling in”—can protect the plant until its permanent location is ready. Keep the roots covered, moist, and protected from drying winds.

Planting Instructions

How to Plant a Bare-Root Berry Bush

  1. Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots without bending or crowding them.
  2. Position the plant at approximately the same depth it was growing in the nursery.
  3. Spread the roots outward naturally rather than twisting them into a small hole.
  4. Backfill with the existing soil, gently working it around the roots.
  5. Water deeply after planting to settle the soil.
  6. Add a layer of mulch to conserve moisture.
  7. Keep the soil consistently moist during the plant’s first growing season while the root system becomes established.

After Planting

What to Expect During the First Season

Be Patient With Dormant Plants

Some plants wake quickly, while others take longer. Different species and varieties naturally break dormancy at different times.

Root Growth Comes First

The plant may be developing new roots before you see leaves or shoots above the soil.

Water Consistently

The first season is primarily about establishment. Keep the root zone evenly moist without leaving it constantly waterlogged.

Expect Future Growth

Many berry bushes begin producing within the first few years, with harvests increasing as the plant becomes larger and more established.

Shipping Details

Where We Ship and What It Costs

Contiguous United States

We currently ship plants throughout the contiguous United States. We do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or international destinations.

Simple Flat-Rate Shipping

Shipping is a flat rate of $25 per order, allowing you to combine multiple plants in one shipment without paying a separate shipping charge for each plant.

Local Pickup

Local pickup may be available for customers near Lansing, Michigan. Select the available pickup option during checkout when offered.

Shipment Notifications

We will send an email when your order ships so you know when to expect your plants and can prepare for planting.

Ready to Grow More of Your Own Fruit?

Explore our selection of naturally grown bare-root berry bushes and choose varieties selected for flavor, productivity, hardiness, and dependable home harvests.

Visit the Berry Bush Shop
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