Here at Nourse Farms, we pack, hold, and ship our plants in their dormant stage for spring planting. Our plants perform best when planted in warm soil (50 degrees Fahrenheit) after the risk of hard frost has passed. When you receive your plants, they should be planted within 2–3 days of receipt.
We understand that LIFE HAPPENS. Whether it's rainy weather conditions or a busy schedule, you may not be able to plant immediately after receipt.
For a short duration, up to 7–10 days, you can store your plants in a standard refrigerator or walk-in cooler between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
For longer durations—if you need to hold off planting for 10 or more days—store plants at a consistent 28 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain dormancy.
No cold storage? No problem.
Potting plants is an option if you cannot hold them at temperature. Potted plants should be allowed to root well before transplanting to reduce shock. Caring for potted plants can be challenging, and it may take weeks to months before plants are ready to be planted into the ground.
The best practice is to plant directly into the ground, even if that means storing your plants in the fridge for a few extra days.
Upon receipt, check the condition of the plants. Bareroot strawberry and raspberry plants are shipped in a plastic bag with moistened shredded paper added to prevent the roots from drying out. Check that paper has not dried and moisten slightly if necessary. Shredded paper should be damp, not sopping wet.
Asparagus plants are susceptible to storage molds and should be kept dry. If mold is noticed at receipt, remove the crowns from the box and lay them out in a single layer, out of direct sunlight. After 2–3 hours, they can be put back into the box and moved into cold storage.
Questions? We're here to help.
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