With Christmas behind you, it might be time to turn your attention back to the garden. While you can plant container-grown trees year-round, January offers some key advantages…especially for bare root and rootball planting!

Benefits of Planting in January

1. More Planting Options. January opens the door to planting bare root and rootball trees, which aren’t available year-round. These trees typically cost less than container-grown options because they come without pots, but you can only plant them during the dormant winter months.

2. Less Stress. Container-grown trees can go in the ground any time, but planting them during the growing season demands more care. Planting in winter, when trees are dormant, helps avoid transplant shock. With no immediate demands of leaf or shoot growth, trees can put all their energy into establishing roots.

3. Moist Soil. Winter’s cool, moist conditions reduce the need for constant watering. You should still check the soil during long dry spells, but generally, the soil should be moist enough (just check it over any extended dry periods). No matter when you plant, you’ll need to set up a regular watering routine through the first few growing seasons to support root development.

Bare Root Planting (planning ahead)

In January, the plants are still fully dormant and the risk of transplant losses is minimal. There is also drying winds and frosty weather which creates an ideal ‘weather window’ for getting plants in the ground. Although the season lasts until March, it is important to factor in the lead time required to source all your plants and accessories.

As the season progresses, suppliers of tree protection products such as shelters and rabbit guards often report extended lead times. It’s surprisingly easy to end up with all your plants ready, only to face frustrating delays due to shortages in critical items like guards or shelters. Tree stakes can also be a bottleneck. Many are imported from countries like Latvia and arrive by sea at irregular intervals. As demand increases later in the season, sourcing the correct sizes becomes more difficult and less reliable.

Planting in January also benefits your plants as it gives them more time to establish roots and absorb moisture and nutrients before the demands of spring growth begin. If you already know what you need, let us know and we can reserve everything for you in advance, ensuring you’re fully prepared when the time comes to plant!