--- title: "Roots Before Shoots: Preparing for the Spring Planting Season" description: Preparing native plants for spring involves careful transitions in the greenhouse, ensuring strong root systems and natural growth cycles for better garden success. image: https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hubfs/Images/Blog/Sage%20Plugs%20in%20Trays.png --- [Skip to content](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/learn/roots-before-shoots-preparing-for-the-spring-planting-season#main-content) [![Garden for Wildlife by National Wildlife Federation logo](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hubfs/Branding/Logos/GFW%20Stacked%20Primary%20Logo/GFW-logo-stacked-color-1.svg)](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/) - Get Involved [**At Home**](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/get-involved/at-home) From planting a garden to spreading the word about native plants, everyone can take action. 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[![gfw-featured-image-home-hummingbird](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/43941187/interactive-160479738010.png)](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLI4RhG6J9FQMk%2BN7OeJYlJRzDB%2BVkbfEeN8TmYiRfIqbthJvUvO4ybJvMVTO9FGpiGn1G%2Bci8enfuRsRJDHNtAP6N8wEoNAexfmzo9ivARnXW3IPanl5nRzl68PNDvOWLNT%2FvmA8zEFvbUkBUpBoJhfZhTfeIxLt3%2Bpxo9yjYhtZwueM4gRGGzfzq6jcgyshnuTvWasL5ucRSC%2BbFF%2BE656zy1Fwu3G5U%2BIuQ%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=160479738010&portalId=43941187) If you are like us, you are probably checking the forecast every day, waiting for that first string of warm days so you can get into the garden. We get it—the anticipation of spring is real! If you’ve ever wondered what is happening in the greenhouse while you wait, we have a behind-the-scenes look for you. Right now, across most of our [native plant grower network](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/get-involved/grower-network) (with the exception of our lucky friends in Florida and [Southern California](https://gardenforwildlife.com/collections/southern-california)), a delicate transition is taking place. It is a quiet, crucial period that determines the success of your garden for years to come. Here is a look at how we grow [native plants](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/learn/native-plants-everything-you-need-to-know), why we wait to start shipping, and why it matters for your plants. ![Native Plants in Germination Trays](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/Plants%20in%20Germination%20Trays.png?width=2240&height=1260&name=Plants%20in%20Germination%20Trays.png) ## The Great Migration: From Bay to Bench At this very moment, thousands of native seedlings are graduating. Most of our growers are transitioning newly germinated seedlings from "germination bays"—which provide steady, cozy warmth to help seeds sprout—into the main greenhouses. While the germination bays are like an incubator, the main greenhouses are still experiencing the cool, fluctuating temperatures of early spring. This is where the real work begins. ## Light vs. Heat: The Science of Spring Once seedlings are transplanted, our growers begin gently heating the greenhouses to keep the frost at bay. But you might notice that plants in early spring don't explode with growth the way they do in July. Why? It comes down to **Photoperiodism** (a fancy word for how plants react to daylight). Native plants are smart. They respond not just to soil warmth, but to the length of the day. Increasing day length is nature’s strongest signal that it is safe to actively grow. While industrial nurseries often use high-intensity artificial lighting to "trick" plants into thinking it’s summer—forcing rapid, leggy growth—we take a different approach. **We don’t use artificial lighting or aggressive methods to force growth ahead of the season.** Instead, we work with nature’s timing. We allow the plants to wake up slowly, developing in rhythm with natural light cycles. This means when your plant arrives, it is in sync with *your* season, reducing the risk of transplant shock. ![Sage Plugs in Trays](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/Sage%20Plugs%20in%20Trays.png?width=2240&height=1260&name=Sage%20Plugs%20in%20Trays.png) ## The "Iceberg" Effect: Why We Wait 6–8 Weeks After a seedling is transplanted into its nursery pot, it might look like nothing is happening above the surface. But underground, it’s a marathon. Most species require about **6–8 weeks** after transplanting to establish a strong, healthy root system. This is the most critical stage of production. Think of a native plant like an iceberg: what matters most is what you *can't* see. If we shipped a plant the moment it looked green on top, it would lack the root structure to survive the journey to your doorstep or the transition into your soil. We hold our inventory until those roots are robust, sturdy, and ready to anchor a new habitat in your yard. ![Obedient plant seedlings_roots](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/Obedient%20plant%20seedlings_roots.png?width=2240&height=1260&name=Obedient%20plant%20seedlings_roots.png) ## The Human Touch There is no "autopilot" in our greenhouses. Behind every tray and bench are skilled growers who monitor crops daily. These are experienced horticultural professionals who are constantly adjusting moisture levels, ventilation, and temperature as the spring weather shifts. They are checking for root development and ensuring sturdy stems. They take real pride in raising plants the **right way**—not the fast way. So, as we wait for the days to get a little longer, know that your plants are getting ready, too. They are building their strength so that when they finally reach your garden, they are ready to thrive. 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While this statistic is ala... [Native Plants](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/learn/tag/native-plants) [Skip the Bee Hotel: Why Natural Habitats Are Better for Pollinators](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/learn/skip-the-bee-hotel-why-natural-habitats-are-better-for-pollinators) Edited by David Mizejewski, National Wildlife Federation Naturalist Walk into any home improvement store or garden cente... [Native Plants](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/learn/tag/native-plants) [The firefly, the monarch, and the bee](https://content.gardenforwildlife.com/learn/the-firefly-the-monarch-and-the-bee) Beneath the tall grasses and floating on the summer breeze, a quiet struggle for survival unfolds every day. The firefly... 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