Bare Root Plants: Your Guide to Smarter Gardening in the Puyallup Valley

Q: How do I keep bare root plants alive before planting?

Keep roots moist! Soak the roots in a bucket of plain water for 2-4 hours (overnight is even better). If you can't plant within a day or two, heel them in by digging a shallow trench, laying the roots in, and covering with moist soil or mulch.

Q: Do bare root plants come with a warranty?

Yes! Like all hardy nursery stock, bare root plants are guaranteed for 6 months when planted properly and maintained with adequate water. Keep your receipt—it's required for warranty claims.

Here at Todd's Nursery & Landscaping, our fresh bare root stock is in right now — and they're a game-changer for our mild, wet winters and fertile river-valley soil.

📖In this guide: What bare root plants are, why they're often the smarter choice, and exactly how to plant them so they thrive in Puyallup's climate.

What Is a Bare Root Plant?

A bare root plant is exactly what it sounds like: a dormant (sleeping) tree, shrub, rose, or perennial that has been dug from the nursery field in winter, with all the soil gently shaken from its roots. No pot, no dirt ball — just healthy roots wrapped in moist material for shipping or pickup.

They look a bit like a bundle of sticks with stringy roots at the bottom, but don't let that fool you. These plants are usually 1–3 years old and packed with potential.

Comparison of a potted plant versus a bare root plant showing the difference in root structure

Potted plants vs. bare root plants — notice the exposed, spreading roots on the bare root plant.

Why Should You Buy Bare Root Plants in the Puyallup Valley?

Here's why locals are loving bare root this season at Todd's:

Big savings — We sell them for 25% of the price of the same variety in a pot. Perfect for filling an orchard, hedge, or large landscape project without breaking the bank.

Superior root systems — Grown in open fields, they develop strong, fibrous, branching roots instead of the circling roots that can happen in pots. Once planted, they establish faster and grow stronger in our native Puyallup soil.

Less transplant shock — Because they're younger and planted while fully dormant, they bounce back quicker and adapt to your exact soil and climate.

Eco-friendly — No plastic pots to throw away, lighter to transport, and lower environmental impact.

Perfect timing for our weather — February and early March are ideal here. The winter rains (which we have plenty of!) help settle the roots before the dry summer hits.

At Todd's Nursery & Landscaping, we've been serving the Puyallup Valley since the 1960s with high-quality, healthy plants — including our extensive selection of bare root fruit trees like apples, pears, cherries, plums, peaches, apricots, nectarines, and even combo varieties (like 4-way apples or fruit salad trees) at major discounts this season.

Bare Root vs. Potted Plants: What's the Real Difference?

Feature	Bare Root Plants	Potted (Container) Plants
Availability	Dormant season only (Nov–March in WA)	Year-round
Price	Much cheaper	More expensive
Root health	Natural, spreading roots — no circling	Roots may need loosening at planting time
Planting ease	Super lightweight, easy to carry	Heavier, bulkier
Establishment	Excellent long-term root growth in native soil	Good, but may need extra care to break out of pot soil
Best for	Winter planting, multiple trees, budget-conscious projects	Year-round planting, instant visual impact, flexibility

In short: If you want the healthiest, most cost-effective plants that will truly call the Puyallup Valley home, go bare root. If you need instant gratification or are planting in summer, potted is fine — but for long-term success in our rich alluvial soils, bare root wins.

How to Plant Bare Root Plants — Step-by-Step for Puyallup Success

Get them home and keep them happy

As soon as you pick them up at Todd's, unwrap and soak the roots in a bucket of plain water for at least 2–4 hours (overnight is even better). You can add a little root stimulator if you want. Never let the roots dry out!

Bare root plant soaking in a bucket of water

Choose the spot

Full sun or part shade as needed for your plant. In the Valley, watch for areas that stay soggy in winter — good drainage is key even in our rich soil.

Dig the perfect hole

Make it 2–3 times wider than the root spread and only as deep as the root flare (where the trunk meets the roots). The goal is a shallow, saucer-shaped hole so water doesn't pool.

Diagram showing proper planting depth for bare root plants - root flare at soil level, hole 3-5x width of root ball

Dig hole 3-5x the width of the root spread, with depth equal to root flare to root base.

Plant it right

• Make a small mound of soil in the center.
• Spread the roots out naturally over the mound like octopus legs.
• Hold the plant so the root flare sits 1–2 inches above ground level (our winter rains can settle soil).
• Backfill with the native soil you dug out — no fancy amendments needed the first year!
• Gently firm the soil as you go and water deeply to eliminate air pockets.

Diagram showing proper planting depth with root flare above soil level - comparing incorrect deep planting versus correct shallow planting

Proper planting depth: root flare should be at or slightly above soil level.

Finish strong

Build a small watering basin around the drip line. Mulch 2–3 inches deep with compost or wood chips, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. Water well once a week if we have a dry spell (though February–April usually takes care of that!).

Apply 2-3 inches of mulch, keeping it away from the trunk.

Pro Puyallup Tip

Our valley soil is famously fertile, but if you hit heavy clay, mix in a little compost when backfilling to improve drainage. Stake only if it's a tall tree and windy spot — most bare root plants don't need it.

Ready to Get Planting?

Bare root season is short and sweet here in the South Sound. Swing by Todd's Nursery & Landscaping at 11002 State Route 162 E, Puyallup, this weekend. You'll find apples, pears, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, gorgeous roses, and more — all ready to settle in before spring really kicks in. Our knowledgeable staff is here to help you pick the perfect varieties for your yard.

Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you when those trees are loaded with fruit or your landscape is thriving in a few years. Happy planting, Puyallup!

Currently In Stock at Todd's

Click each category to see available varieties. Inventory changes daily — call ahead to confirm availability.

🫐 Blueberries▼

Earli BluePatriotDukePink LemonadeSweet Heart

🍎 Apples▼

Ashmead's KernelCentennialChehalisCosmic Crisp™Cox Orange PippinDolgo CrabappleHoneycrisp (Dwarf)Honeycrisp (M27)Northpole™ ColumnarUrban Tasty Red ColumnarUrban Golden Treat ColumnarWilliams Pride4-Way Combo AppleEspalier Apple

🍐 Pears▼

ConferenceHighlandHosui AsianNijisseiki Asian

🍒 Sweet Cherries▼

BingRainierRoyal AnnBlack GoldWhite Gold

🍑 Plums, Peaches & Apricots▼

Shiro PlumMirabelle De Metz PlumFrost PeachHarglow Apricot

🌸 Flowering Trees▼

Accolade CherryAkebono CherryKwanzan CherryKwanzan Red Bark CherryShogetsu CherryRoyal Burgundy CherryEvereste CrabappleCrimson Pointe PlumWeeping Golden ChainEddie's White Wonder DogwoodStarlight DogwoodScarlet Fire Dogwood

🌳 Shade & Ornamental Trees▼

Autumn Brilliance ServiceberryHanna's Heart KatsuraRed Fox KatsuraCrimson Sentry MapleBowhall MapleBurgundy Belle MapleSun Valley MapleBabylonica Green WillowNiobe Golden Willow

🌿 Shrubs & Hydrangeas▼

Ivory Halo DogwoodArctic Fire DogwoodGold Tide DogwoodAnnabelle HydrangeaLimelight Prime HydrangeaIncrediball HydrangeaLet's Dance Arriba HydrangeaBlue Wave HydrangeaGlowing Embers HydrangeaLittle Lime Punch HydrangeaCommon SnowballSteady Eddy HydrangeaWine & Roses WeigelaMiss Kim LilacBloomerang Dark Purple LilacKing Edward Lilac

Stop by or give us a call at (253) 841-3280 — we'd love to help you grow something beautiful in the Valley. 🌱

— The Team at Todd's Nursery & Landscaping

Bare Root FAQs

When is bare root season?▼

In the Puyallup Valley, bare root season runs from late November through early March—while plants are fully dormant. February is the sweet spot for planting here, as our winter rains help settle roots before the dry summer. Our fresh stock typically arrives in January-February.

Why are bare root plants cheaper than potted?▼

Bare root plants cost significantly less because they don't require pots, potting soil, or the labor to maintain them in containers. They're also lighter to ship. At Todd's, we sell bare root plants for about 25% of the price of the same variety in a pot—major savings if you're planting multiple trees or filling an orchard.

How do I keep bare root plants alive before planting?▼

The key is keeping roots moist! When you get home, unwrap and soak the roots in a bucket of plain water for 2-4 hours (overnight is even better). If you can't plant within a day or two, "heel them in" by digging a shallow trench, laying the roots in, and covering with moist soil or mulch. Never let the roots dry out.

Can I plant bare root trees in summer?▼

No—bare root plants can only be planted while dormant (late fall through early spring). Once they leaf out, bare roots will die if planted. If you miss bare root season, we have the same varieties available in pots year-round, though at a higher price point.

Do bare root plants come with a warranty?▼

Yes! Like all our hardy nursery stock, bare root plants are guaranteed for 6 months when planted properly and maintained with adequate water. Keep your receipt—it's required for any warranty claims. Refunds are issued as store credit.

How deep should I plant a bare root tree?▼

Plant with the root flare (where the trunk meets the roots) at or slightly above soil level—never bury it. A common mistake is planting too deep. Make a small mound in your hole, spread roots over it like octopus legs, and backfill with native soil. Our Puyallup winter rains will settle it in nicely.

Have more questions? Visit our full FAQ page or give us a call at (253) 841-3280.