Posted on February 21, 2023 by Van Becelaere Greenhouse

Preordering your spring plants from a local nursery or nearby greenhouse is a smart way to save money and ensure you get the best plants for your garden. In addition, you get to select the exact varieties of plants you want and pick up those purchases at your local nursery upon arrival without waiting in line.

Working directly with a greenhouse nearby eliminates the need to search for the perfect plant in stores and ensures that it will be ready for planting when Spring arrives. Plus, local nurseries and greenhouses provide expert advice on caring for each type of plant, which can help you get the most out of your investment.

Choosing Starter Plants

When it comes time to preorder those starter plants, there are several standard packaging options to choose from:

• Container grown plants
• Bare root plants
• Starter plugs

Container Grown Plants

As the name implies, container-grown plants are grown in paper containers. Choosing to plant in the soil means you save time and money on watering, feeding, and general care.

Most plants grown in soil will develop an extensive root system that extends through the entire container, which can mean less water and feedings over time. However, the cost of container-grown plants does increase depending on plant maturity.

Bare Root Plants

Controlling the humidity in a plastic container with a lid is easier. If you’re worried about pests or diseases, this is also beneficial because it keeps your plants out of reach of insects. However, it’s best not to plant with any compost or fertilizer when planting in the ground, as bare root plants are at higher risk of chemical burns from hot soil.

Instead, consider acclimating bare root plants to a new environment by putting them into a plastic or recycled container and cover with a plant cloche to protect the plants. In addition, using a cloche on repotted bare-root plants creates a hothouse environment that allows the plant time to recover, rejuvenate, and adjust to a new environment.

Starter Plugs

Another early preorder option is selecting starter plugs. These are by far the best choice to get your garden growing quickly. Starter plugs often arrive in bulk containers of 6 or more plants per tray.

Although there is more upfront cost associated with starter plugs, the health of these plants is far better as they have already germinated in the soil, which makes the transition to in-ground growth a tremendous success.

Preorder Your Starter Plants

To preorder your starter plants today, contact Van Becelaere Greenhouse at 620-231-1127. Their knowledgeable team of experts can help you make the best preorder selection for your flowerbed or vegetable garden. 

Here’s a short list of the most popular flowerbed and garden starters to preorder while at the Van Becelaere Greenhouse in Pittsburg, KS.

Spring Flowers

• Pansies
• Ivy
• Dianthus
• Snapdragons

Garden Starters

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower