Bailey Nurseries operates one of the largest bareroot storage facility in the United States, supporting the distribution of 9 to 11 million plants annually across all locations.
Our bareroot production is a collaborative effort, with contributions from multiple growing locations including millions of plants from our bareroot production sites in Minnesota, Oregan, and Washington. A significant portion of this plant material is stored in our refrigerated warehouses, which span over 9 million cubic feet and maintains ideal conditions of 38–40°F and nearly 100% humidity. After harvest, our teams get to work grading and packing each plant with care to ensure quality and readiness for shipping. But before anything reaches the loading docks, an entire system of planning, precision, and people goes into making sure our customers receive plants that are healthy, well-prepared, and ready to thrive.
The plants are harvested from the fields and sent to the coolers for processing.
Our crews spend days watering all the loads in addition to a misting system. This is critical to make sure the plants continue to “shut down” and go into dormancy. This prepares the plants for grading and storage over the winter. The plants are then monitored all winter long for any diseases, water needs and overall quality. This ensures that you receive the best bareroot stock on the market.
Our crews maintain a high standard for Bailey-grown product as well. The Bailey grade exceeds industry standards, delivering premium, unmatched quality in bareroot products to our customers. Plants are individually measured and evaluated for size and quality. All bareroot plants have exceptional root systems, excellent branching with strong leaders and desirable heft and caliber for an overall superior plant. Stock that doesn’t meet these requirements are removed in processing.
One of the greatest advantages of ordering bareroot plants is that the plants are shipped dormant.
Our warehouse practices simulate winter conditions that keep the plants dormant until they can be shipped out. This is good news for growers that understand how important the timing for planting can be. Sometimes, the weather has its own plans for spring bringing threats of snow, frost, or rain that can delay planting. With the use of bareroot stock you can buy time until weather conditions are more favorable.
Another advantage is incorporating bareroot as part of a balanced production strategy, working in conjunction with other liners like JumpStarts® and JumpStarts® 5.5s, as well as finished plants. Bareroot offers flexibility for growers by complementing different stages of production and supporting a range of crop timing and production goals. In addition, bareroot material is easier to store and plant, establishes more quickly, and typically develops a larger root system for faster growth. This is especially true with Bailey-grown product, as we provide optimal storage conditions in our warehouses.
At Bailey Nurseries, every step of our bareroot production process is designed with our customers’ success in mind.
From careful harvesting to precise grading and preparation, we focus on delivering healthy, vigorous plants ready to perform. Our specialized storage facilities help maintain ideal conditions, preserving dormancy and plant health until the timing is right for planting. Bareroot stock offers cost efficiency, strong root development, and planting flexibility—benefits that help growers maximize results. When you choose Bailey-grown products, you’re not just getting quality plants, you’re gaining a partner committed to helping you grow with confidence.
