January through March is the right time of year to be looking through gardening catalogues and making orders for new bare root plants that will arrive at your home in early spring.

There are many bare-root plants to be found through retail nurseries, mail-order and online.

In this area, USDA zone 5b, or Canadian zone 6b it’s much too early to plant bareroot plants such as fruit trees, roses, raspberries, strawberries, flowering shrubs and other perennials, but if you live in a warmer zone you might be closing in on the right time period for planting.

Here we plant bare roots in April when the ground has thawed enough to dig in. Sometimes we even plant bare roots as late as early May.

One great thing about purchasing bare root plants is that they are often much less expensive than potted plants of equal size. As much as 40% to 70% less! Another bonus is that some plants are hard to find and are only available bare root.

I’ve planted several bare root Roses and other perennials and I must say that they tend to establish themselves much more quickly than potted plants.

If you go right to a nursery to purchase your bare root shrubs or trees be sure to choose plants with strong stems and good form. Look at the roots if possible and select ones with a healthy looking well formed root system.

Avoid any plants with slimy roots, or ones that look dry and withered.

Roots are often packed in wood shavings and wrapped in plastic so it can be hard to see the roots well. Try to avoid packages that have been opened or appear damaged, water-logged, or seem to be excessively dry.

When you order plants by mail check them carefully as soon as they arrive. You’ll be checking for packing errors as well as broken damaged plants. Notify the supplier immediately if you have any problem with the plants that have just arrived. The earlier you do this the better as problems can often be rectified quite fast.

Read – Planting Bare Root Plants next.