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Planting & Deliveries During Freezing Weather
You can’t plant into frozen ground, and there are some important considerations when storing bareroot plants in freezing weather.
The most important thing to remember is: do not disturb or move the roots of your plants while they are frozen.
Why Frozen Roots are a Problem
Disturbing frozen roots can cause significant damage and stress to the plant. A plant’s energy reserves are stored in its roots over winter, and damage at this time hinders its ability to grow in spring. Broken roots must regrow before they can absorb water, potentially leading to poor establishment and even the loss of new spring leaves.
Ordering During Freezing Weather
You can place your order online at any time, regardless of the weather. This reserves your plants and secures your place in the queue for your preferred delivery date. No payment will be taken until just before your order is dispatched. You can modify or cancel your order anytime before dispatch through Your Account.
Delivery Delays
We lift and dispatch plants as weather permits. Winter conditions can sometimes cause delays, both in lifting the plants and with courier deliveries. We will keep you informed of any delays via email.
If the ground is frozen at our nursery, we cannot lift plants. We will contact you to reschedule your delivery. If your ground is frozen, please let us know if you’d like to postpone delivery. If you require delivery on a specific date regardless of weather conditions, please understand that we may not be able to fulfil this request. You can cancel your order without penalty via Your Account.
Receiving & Storing Plants in Freezing Weather
If your plants arrive when the ground is frozen, follow these steps:
- Inspect: Open the parcel upon delivery to inspect your plants and allow air circulation around the tops.
- Protect Roots: Leave the roots inside the protective polythene bag.
- Store Safely: Store the plants in a cold, shaded location outdoors (ideally) or in a cold outbuilding. Avoid direct sunlight.
- Do Not Disturb: Once stored, do not move the plants until the ground thaws.
Stored this way, your plants will remain dormant and safe for several weeks, even throughout extended periods of freezing weather.
What About Heeling Plants In?
Heeling plants in is a great way to store bareroot plants for a long time, but it’s not necessary in most cases.
Storing them in the bag is totally fine.
What happens if I am frozen in all winter?
If your plants are stored outside, frozen and out of the sun, they need no attention for months.
- The winter planting season ends around the end of March, depending on where you live.
- However, long cold periods delay the onset of spring. If we have a hard winter, it will be safe to plant bareroot trees hedging later.
There is no reason to panic or hurry.
Planting When the Ground Thaws
Plant your trees and hedging when the ground is soft enough to dig comfortably and temperatures are consistently above freezing.
“When the ground is soft enough to dig, the plants are soft enough to be planted.”
For helpful planting demonstrations, watch our videos:
- Planting a country style hedge with a mulch mat
- Planting a formal garden hedge
- Planting a large ornamental tree
- Planting a large fruit tree
What If the Ground Refreezes After Planting?
If the ground refreezes after planting, don’t worry. Leave the plants undisturbed until the ground thaws again. Once thawed, gently firm the soil around the plants using your foot, avoiding stamping. It’s a good practice to check for “frost lift” (soil heaving due to freezing) during the first couple of winters and firm the soil as needed.