The numbers represent gallon pot size. For example a #1 would be a 1 gallon container, a #2 a 2 gallon container, and #5 a 5 gallon container, and so on. There are also a few items available in pot sizes smaller than 1 gallon, in which case the pot size is indicated by inches. For example, 4" means that the plant will come in a 4 inch pot.

BR stands for bare root. This means the plant is will not be potted in soil and will likely still be dormant (no leaves). Sometimes bare root items are available in bundles, in which case the quantity will also be listed. For example, "BR Pkg 5" means a bare root bundle of 5 plants.

Pot size is normally a pretty good indicator of how large your tree will be! For example, a #5 will be approximately 5' tall, a #7 approximately 7' tall and a #10 approximately 10' tall. Of course, there is some variance depending on variety! So a tree in a #5 may range from 4-6' in height.

There are some cases where a specialty/novelty variety may be smaller than is average. For example, dwarf apple trees are typically 3' in a #5. In cases where size varies outside the expected range, it will be indicated in the description. For example, the size might be listed as #5 3', which would indicate that the tree comes in a 5 gallon container, but is only 3 feet tall.

Pot size is normally a pretty good indicator of how old your tree will be! For example, a #5 will be approximately 5 years old, a #7 approximately 7 years old and a #10 approximately 10 years old. Of course, there can be some variance depending on the growing season, including environmental conditions of previous years.

There are some cases where a specialty/novelty variety may be younger than is average. For example, some of our rare/heritage trees are between 1 to 3 years old in a #5. In these cases, the size of the tree would indicate this - for example, the size might be listed as #5 3', which would indicate that the tree comes in a 5 gallon container, but is only 3 feet tall (and likely 3 years old).

Years to fruit production varies, depending on variety, size of tree, and environmental factors! Trees typically take a minimum of 2 years before beginning fruit production, as they focus energy on their roots first!

Using the #5 (5 gallon container, approx. 5 years old) as a baseline, here's an idea about years to fruit production for the following trees:

• Apples: 2-3 years
• Cherries: 2-3 years
• Plums: 5-6 years
• Pears: 7-8 years
• Apricots: 7-10 years

As you increase pot size (and age of the tree) you decrease the number of years for fruit production. You should also expect to see bigger yields sooner with more mature trees. Keeping in mind that all trees, regardless of size, typically take 2 years to develop their roots and become acclimatized to their environment.

Years to fruit production varies, depending on variety, size of bush, and environmental factors! Bushes typically take a minimum of 2 years before beginning fruit production, as they focus energy on their roots first! Though some fruits - strawberries, sunchokes, primocane raspberries, haskaps, - can produce fruit in their 1st year

Using the #1 (1 gallon container, approx. 1 year old) as a baseline, here's an idea about years to fruit production for the following bushes:

• Strawberries: 1st year
• Raspberries (primocane): 1st year
• Raspberries (floricane): 2nd year
• Rhubarb: 1-2 years
• Haskaps/Honeyberries: 1-2 years
• Lingonberries: 1-2 years
• Currants: 1-3 years
• Gooseberries: 1-3 years
• Goji Berries: 1-3 years
• Asparagus: 2-3 years
• Beaked Hazelnuts 2-3 years
• Sea Buckthorn: 3 years
• Grapes: 3 years
• Blueberries: 3-4 years
• Cranberries: 2-3 years
• Saskatoons: 4-6 years
• Cherries 4-6 years
• Kiwis: 3-7 years

As you increase pot size (and age of the tree) you decrease the number of years for fruit production. You should also expect to see bigger yields sooner with more mature trees. Keeping in mind that all trees, regardless of size, typically take 2 years to develop their roots and become acclimatized to their environment.

Yes! We can make recommendations on what varieties suit your area, ensure you have correct cross-pollination pairs, and help with general layout. Please give us a call at 780-921-2272 or send us an email at info@prairiegardens.org.

Spring pre-order pick-ups start in May. How it works:

1. You place a pre-order (sometime from November until April).
2. You receive an order confirmation.
3. We contact you in early May to let you know that your order is ready to go and can be picked up at anytime.
4. You can pick-up anytime during our opening hours in the spring.

You can just come to the farm and buy the plants you want onsite!

We do recommend pre-orders for folks who either want specific varieties, specific sizes, or large quantities/volumes.

We often sell out of our novelty/specialty fruits before we open in May, but still have a great selection onsite. For example, we offer over 75 different varieties of apples. Typically we still have around 35 varieties left available in May when we open. For something like pears, of which we offer 16 varieties, we usually have around 5-6 varieties left available when we open in May.

No, we do not offer a tree planting service.

Please see our full mail order return policy here!

Yes, they do! You will receive your warranty with your order confirmation if you place an order online, over the phone, or by email. If you buy trees & shrubs in person, you will receive your warranty at that time.

No, unfortunately we cannot ship plants to the US at this time.

Yes! We can mail smaller items (#1 and #2) and bare root items (3' tall or less) via Canada Post.

Yes, for larger items we can palletize the order and ship with a transport company. It typically costs between $350-$650 per pallet, though it can cost more to ship out of province. We recommend this for orders of $1000+ to optimize the shipping costs.

Please call us at 780-921-2272 or send us an email to info@prairiegardens.org for more information.

Unfortunately our #5 trees are typically 5-6' tall, which exceeds the maximum dimensions allowed by Canada Post. The trees are too large to be mailed.

In some cases, we can mail specialty trees or bushes in #5 containers provided they are 3' tall or less. This usually costs between $85-$175 per tree to mail.

For a shipping quote, please call 780-921-2272 or email info@prairiegardens.org. Make sure to include your postal code! Otherwise, for a general idea:

• Padded Envelope: $25-$35 within AB
• Padded Envelope: $30-50 to other provinces
• Small Box: $30-35 within AB
• Small Box: $30-60 to other provinces
• Medium Box: $35-$55 within AB
• Medium Box: $40-$80 to other provinces
• Large Box: $55-$75 within AB
• Large Box: $65-$120 to other provinces

Of course, the above prices are simply estimates! The past few years have seen frequent fluctuations in price and fuel surcharge spikes, so costs can vary.

Keep in mind that it costs more to mail to plants to distant provinces (Ontario, Quebec, East Coast, etc.) than to neighboring provinces (BC, Saskatchewan, etc.), especially in cases where expedited shipping is required.

This varies depending on box size and the size of plants ordered! Here's a guideline for our 3 main box sizes:

1. Small Box
   • Fits 1 x #1 plant, OR
   • A few bundles of bare root items, such as raspberries, strawberries, sunchokes, rhubarb, etc.
2. Medium Box
   • Fits 2-4 x #1 plants, OR
   • 1-2 x #2 plants, OR
   • 1 x #2 plant & 2 x #1 plants
3. Large Box
   • Fits 5-8 x #1 plants, OR
   • 3 x #2 plants, OR
   • A combination of #1 and #2 plants, not exceeding 8 plants total

To optimize shipping, we recommend filling the box! For example, it costs the same to mail a medium box regardless  of if there are 2 x #1 plants or 4 x #1 plants in it.

We start to mail orders in May, once the weather is warm enough that the plants aren't in danger of being frozen in transit.

We can mail potted plants (#1 & #2) throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Typically October is our final month for mail orders.

Bare root items are only mailed in the early spring (May & June).

The answer is generally like with like! Apples pollinate apples, pears pollinate pears, plums pollinate plums. Fruits from different types (i.e. apples and pears) will not pollinate each other.

For optimal cross-pollination, you should have two different varieties of fruit of the same type. For example, if you had a Honeycrisp apple, you would want your second tree to be a different variety of apple for cross-pollination (something like Norkent or Prairie Magic or September Ruby, for instance).

With some types of fruit - like plums - the cross-pollination requirements are very specific. For pollination to occur both plums must be in bloom at the same time. Whenever possible we recommend a black plum - Canadian or American - to help with pollination.

No, we don't normally deliver in the Edmonton Region. Occasionally, we can deliver large orchard packages (over $3000). Please contact us for pricing.

We don't typically deliver to Calgary. However, we can pool orders together and once the delivery vehicle is full, we'll make a trip. This option does require some flexibility, as depending on the number of orders, it may take some time to fill a vehicle.

This typically costs between $100-$300, depending on the size and number of orders.

We have family by Brooks, AB and typically visit few times during the summer. We will bring tree orders down with us if you can either meet us along our route, have an address that is not a significant detour from our route, or if you can meet us at our final destination with 1-2 days of our arrival.

It typically costs $50-150 per order, but other arrangements can be made depending on the size of the order. Please call 780-921-2272 or email us at info@prairiegardens.org for more information.