Winter plant shopping is here, and we’re so excited! Winter plant shopping is the best because the majority of your shopping can happen from the comfort of your own home. Many people don’t realize that other than spring, a great time to buy plants is actually during winter. Winter is the best time to buy bare root plants (such as fruit trees, native species, roses, other trees), small plugs, and seeds to prep for spring (and winter) planting.
You can technically plant bare root any time of the year, but planting them in winter and early spring is the best since they are dormant. When we transplant potted plants, which are typically root bound, while we attempt to loosen the root ball a lot of the fine roots that support nutrient uptake are damaged, setting back the establishment of your newly planted tree/shrub. When a bare root specimen is planted in its final home it can focus on building stronger roots without the need for excess resources, such as water and food to be a successful transplant.
Enough of that, lets talk about all of the sales you can partake in over the next month or so!
County Conservation Districts Bare Root Native Plant Pre-Sales
Who participates? Most counties in Washington state! King, Snohomish, Whidbey Island, Pierce, Thurston, Stevens, Spokane, Whatcom, Mason, etc. Check out this resource from UW to find your counties plant sale dates and pick up times! Everything is online and I highly recommend you shop soon because they have limited stock! Most pickups begin March 1st!
King County: https://kingcd.org/programs/better-backyards/native-bareroot-plant-sale/
Snohomish County: https://www.theplantsale.org/
Whidbey Island: https://wicdstorefront.weebly.com/
Pierce County: Presale is closed.
https://depts.washington.edu/hortlib/events/garden-tours-plant-sales
Raintree is amazing for all of your fruit tree needs! Raintree is having a bare root tree sale! Buy one bare root get second 30% off at checkout! CODE: 30%OFF
Located: Morton, WA
Hours: Mon-Thurs 9-4pm
Christianson’s is located in Mount Vernon. They are currently selling bare root fruit and berry specimens and you can find their stock on the website below!
Located: Mount Vernon, WA
Hours: Daily: 9am – 5pm
https://www.christiansonsnursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-Fruit-and-Berry-List-3.pdf
Kruckeberg Botanic Garden
Spring Plant Sale: March 28-30 10:00am – 5:00pm
Located: Shoreline, WA
Visit the Garden:
Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
March – October: 10am-5pm
November – February: 10am-3pm
Currently having a 30% off pottery and indoor plant sale January 11- February 2, 2025
Located: Crown Hill Neighborhood, Seattle, WA
Hours: 9am – 6pm Daily
https://www.swansonsnursery.com/indoor-plant-and-pottery-sale
25% off glazed containers and Japanese maples! They are also expecting their bare root roses and fruit trees soon! Keep an eye out!
Located: Shoreline, WA
Hours: Open 9am – 6pm
Coffee Stand Hours: 9am – 5pm
Bulk Yard Hours: 9am – 5pm
Let us know if you like hearing about local plant sales and if you have a specific nursery you’d like to hear more about!
Thanks for reading!