Frequently Asked Questions
Plant Care
How do I plant my plant?
Great question! You can read our detailed planting instructions here.
When’s a good time to plant?
If you ask us, any time the ground is not frozen is a good time to plant! The great thing about our containerized plants is that they have big, healthy root systems and have excellent transplanting success throughout the growing season.
When choosing your planting day it’s wise to avoid peak afternoon heat, as that can be more stressful for the plant.
How often should I water my plant?
It depends on the plant.
Give your fruit trees a thorough watering right after you plant it. Then, they should be okay without any watering unless we go through a period of drought, which does happen from time to time here in Maine. If there hasn’t been rain in a while, check for signs of water stress, like droopy and yellowing leaves. If needed, give it one good, deep watering per week.
The native perennials have varying water requirements, so be sure to read the description on the website. Some are quite drought-tolerant and don’t need much water at all. Others are wetland obligates, meaning they can handle standing water and need to live in soil that stays moist.
In general, one of the beautiful things about native perennials and trees is that they send down deep, deep roots to access water and nutrients. They’re also tapped into the vast network of mycelium that supports their water and nutritional needs. So even if it seems dry on the surface, most native plants will be just fine. They’re extremely resilient and will thrive, even when annuals and non-native plants and crops are looking sad.
How far apart should I plant my trees?
Fruit trees vary in size depending on their species and rootstock. Here are some general guidelines for planting distances for our particular trees:
Apple trees on G969 rootstock are semi-dwarf—plant them at least 12 ft. apart from each other.
Peach trees: 12-15 ft apart
Pear trees: 15 ft apart
Miscellaneous
Do you ship plants?
Since all of our plants are containerized, we generally don’t ship plants. However, if you’re outside of Maine, and you have a special request for native perennials, send us an email and we may be able to make an exception for a bare-root shipment. Note: this would only be possible when the plants are dormant in Fall or Spring.
Are your plants organic?
We use organic growing practices, but we are not certified organic.
When can I pick up my plants?
Plants are available for pickup at the farm from 9-5 pm Thursday - Sunday or by appointment. You’re welcome to send us an email (info@radicalrootsnursery.com) to let us know when you’re planning to come, but drop-ins during our open hours are also welcome. Email us to arrange a time if you’d like to come outside of those hours.
Do you do deliveries?
For large orders (10+ trees), we may be able to do deliveries within Maine. Please send us an email for a quote on the delivery fee, which will vary depending on order size and distance.
What’s your refund policy?
We ensure that all plants are disease-free and true to name, or your money back. Please reach out to us as soon as possible with any concerns you may have, and provide photos when possible. Quality and plant health are critical to us, and we only send out the best. Because there are a wide range of factors that are out of our control once the plants leave the nursery, we cannot provide refunds for other possible issues affecting your plant (extreme weather, local pests, etc). To give your plants the best possible chance of success, please follow our planting instructions, found here.