Types of planting stock. Container-grown plants, however, are quickly becoming the nursery norm since they have more shipping flexibility and usually have a longer planting season. Bare-root plants often have the lowest cost but are limited to a short planting period in early spring. The air temperature should be above freezing whenever bare-root plants are planted, and the soil must be in workable condition. Planting operations should be suspended during exceptionally wet, dry or windy periods.
Evergreen trees can transplant very well in the fall as long as follow-up moisture is adequate.
Container-grown stock may be planted during most of the year except when soils are frozen and during the extreme heat of summer. All plant material should be planted as soon as possible after receipt. No advantage comes from storing landscape plants. Bare-root plants must be protected from drying and overheating until planting and may be stored for up to seven days, depending on the weather, by placing them in a cool, shaded location, out of the wind and with the roots covered with a moist mulch material. Do not submerge roots in water.