Most of our plants are grown in 2 3/8” wide by 5” deep plastic containers with open bottoms. We have found that this volume of soil is sufficient to yield a nice-sized plant and still be light enough to be shipped affordable. We also sell some of our plants in a quart size allowing for larger tap roots to develop.
Our plants are sold in quantities of three, six, and ten to ensure proper transport and efficient pricing.
Our plants are sold in quantities of three, six, and ten and are packaged by hand the day they will be mailed via USPS Priority. Then they are hand-delivered by Farmer Hart to the post office each afternoon. (Yes, he is on a first-name basis with the post office staff)
We take great pride in our packaging which is complete with a soil protectant, moisture barrier, and custom-fitted box. (Yes, Farmer Hart, goes through gallons of glue every year. Ha ha)
We know there is nothing worse than receiving plants in a bag or loose packaging with broken branches, exposed roots, and/or loose soil so shipping and packaging is approximately half of what you are paying for to ensure our beloved plants become your beloved plants.
You must water your plants as soon as you receive them, they will be parched after their trip from our nursery to your front door. They should be watered to the point that they are soaked; don’t be scared, get them wet! If you aren’t planting them right away, they can be placed outside until you plant them. However, avoid the south side of the house where the sun may be too strong. While outside, awaiting planting, they need to be watered up to twice a day to remain wet; it is best that they are thoroughly wet when they are planted. Keep in mind that these plants are grown in soilless media that is fast-draining so even on an overcast, cool day, they can dry out.
To remove the plant from the pot, think squish not pull. Meaning you should hold the plant upside down and squish the sides and NOT try and pull the plant out. After squeezing this way and that, the root ball should fall into your hand.
When you plant, form a basin around the plant that will hold water and fill it over and over to be sure the soil is saturated. (See diagram.) The best way to ensure you don’t lose your plant is not to assume they won’t dry out, water them at least once a day for the first few weeks. Saturation is key! You must be sure they are watered sufficiently for two weeks until the roots extend into the surrounding soil. After that, you can follow the watering and fertilizing schedule appropriate for your soil and climate.
The plants you just received have been thriving on our mesa top nursery and we take great pride in nurturing our plants prior to shipping them to you. This is what allows us to provide our guarantee that they arrive alive. Now that they are with you, your care will determine how they grow. You can do it! Just keep them wet for two weeks!
If your plants arrive late fall to spring:
If you received a deciduous plant during the winter and it has no leaves, it is dormant, not dead! (We promise.) Also, don’t be alarmed by their size. During this time of year, our plants are pruned back by 25-30% to ensure vigorous growth in the spring. Additionally, your plants will still have to be watered but not as often as discussed above. Yep, even in the dead of winter, we water our plants, it is important that the root ball is never allowed to dry out. Also, protect your plants from extreme temperatures, but avoid keeping them inside for more than a few days. Remember, your plants have been living outside their whole lives (albeit in a covered hoop house in the winter) and could go into shock if kept indoors for too long. When ready to plant follow the instructions from above but note that you may need to water slightly less while it is still cool.
Native Plants:
Although native plants are amazingly drought tolerant, they still need a watering routine as mentioned above until they are established. Some natives, such as Mahonia and Amelanchier are “heat dormant”. To survive naturally with little or no water in the summer, they have developed to go dormant during the heat. They will not send out new growth until the spring!
