Smart Start Essential Planting Bundle

$26.98

Every single tree and shrub that leaves our nursery goes out with a recommendation for these products. In fact, if you hire our own install crew to come out and plant for you, this is exactly what they bring in the truck.

We don't just sell this combination: it’s our standard practice. Anyone who lives in Northern Colorado knows how brutal our heavy clay soil can be. If you just dig a hole and drop a new plant straight into it, those roots are going to hit a wall. We put this bundle together because after years of planting in this local dirt, we know this is what works to get plants established safely.

What’s Inside:

1 Bag of Cottonburr Compost (2 cubic feet): This is our crew's go-to for breaking up heavy NoCo clay. It amends the native soil, opens up tight clay so roots can actually breathe, and helps hold just the right amount of moisture.

Your Choice of Root Stimulator (select size below): Planting is stressful for a tree. This is what we use to ease that transition, reduce transplant shock, and encourage the roots to start spreading out into their new home.

Fertilome Root Stimulator (Size): 16 oz

16 oz 32 oz 1 gal 2.5 gal

1 Year Warranty
Local Pick Up

1 Year Warranty

Plants sold by Fossil Creek Nursery Inc. are guaranteed to survive for a period of one year from the date of purchase. For one time only, we agree to give credit for 50% of the purchase price for nursery stock that fails to survive one year, to be used exclusively for a like replacement.

Nursery stock installed by Fossil Creek Nursery shall be guaranteed at 100% of the purchased price. Deliveries and installation labor are not included in this credit. This guarantee does not include annuals, houseplants, plants planted in planters or containers, water plants, and plants killed by an act of God, including but not limited to hailstorms and/or early and late freezes.

All plants must have been adequately maintained by the customer per our planting guide. We reserve the right to determine the reason why the plant did not survive. The receipt must accompany all returns, replacements, and credits. No returns will be allowed after 30 days.

B&B trees are NOT returnable.

Planting/Installation Services

Let us do the planting or install your fountains for you. Our trained professionals place and position your plant material or provide setup and testing for your product to ensure optimum and enjoyable results. We are unable to repair or alter irrigation system.

At this time, all online orders are processed as pick-up orders. Please call our team at 970-226-4924 to schedule delivery and/or installation for your online order.

Sizing Guide

Container Sizing

Plants sold in nursery pots (also called “containers”) are required to be sold based on the volume of their roots and soil, not just the size of the pot or the plant’s height. This standard helps ensure consistency and accuracy across the industry.

Want to learn more about how container sizing works and see helpful size conversions? Check out our full Sizing Guide page.

Balled & Burlap (B&B) Sizing

Balled & burlap (B&B) trees are sized in two common ways: caliper or height.

Caliper refers to the diameter of the tree trunk measured 6 inches above the soil line for smaller trees, and 12 inches above the soil line for larger trees. It’s a key indicator of the tree’s maturity and overall strength.

Some trees are also sold by height, which measures from the base of the trunk to the top of the canopy.

For a deeper breakdown of tree sizing standards and helpful comparisons, visit our full Sizing Guide page.

Get Care Reminders

Custom Plant Care Reminders

Only the reminders you need, only for the plants you have, and only when you need them - no app download required.

Get reminders texted right to your phone when it's time to water, fertilize, or prep for winter- directly from our nursery team.

Click here to sign up