CLOSED: Is it too late for Summer Planting

Help, after working with 4 Seasons for almost 60 days, I have finally receive replacement plants. I have almost $200 worth of plants but I am afraid that it is way to late to plant them. We are experiencing unusually high temps in Zone 5 (over 100 most days).

I have received bare root plants, a few bulbs and dormant plants. I have planted most of the dormant plants, but after 1 day, three are already dead, (but those are probably my fault as I didn't get them watered right away).

My question is, should I try and store the bare root plants and the bulbs and plant them in the fall or spring, or should I just go for it and hope for the best. I sure hate to not only waste the money, but the time invested in planting doomed plants.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Tish Sparr

I can send a list of what the plants are, if that makes a difference in the advice

I would not store bare root plants as they will almost certainly die if not planted soon, though you could potentially store bulbs. I'm not personally familiar with Nebraska, but imagine that the weather is moderately cool? I would plant them all, even the bulbs, because they will just remain dormant until the correct growing season, assuming they are hardy in your zone. If you are worried about heat stressing them, you could always plant them to temporary containers and keep them in a cooler place and water daily until they start to perk up.

That is a shame that you were given dormant and bare root plants at this time of year!

I agree with potting them up and then watering daily until fall, or a cooler, rainy period when they could be planted out.

Thank-you so much for your suggestion. I think that I am going to plant them in pots, then transplant them when they are a little stronger and it isn't 105 degrees.

Wrap the plants up and send them back asking for refund, if they are a reputable company they must know it's now tooooo late for bare rooted plants, they are normally for sale very early spring or late summer autumn, failing that, I would take pictures and keep for later when you have to ask for refund due to your plants being dead.
So sorry you have had all this trouble as it puts you off ordering from other companies. wish I could say better news but we all learn, unfortunately to learn it usually costs us money eh.
Good luck for the future, WeeNel.

Seems like they should have waited to ship those plants until fall. I would also sugggest that you call the local extension office or master gardeners and ask their opinion. As far as the bulbs go I would put them in the ground.

There is a company watch section on DG under Products & Sources. You might think about posting a review in the company watch section on 4 Seasons.

I am doing a lot of rearranging in my garden....is it too late (9/11) to plant some smaller shrubs here in Iowa?

I would say that as long as plants have at least two months or so to settle in before the threat of frost they are usually fine. If you are planting when it is hot out, just be sure to keep things well watered. That would mean watering daily in my hot and dry area, but just watch plants closely and don't let them get too dry. In my area, spring and fall are ideal, but summer is doable :).