Frequently Asked Questions
About our plants
What is a plug tray?
Plug trays are 128 of all the same plant. Each plant is in its own mini pot (or cell) that is part of the larger tray. This type of propagation allows for easy removal of individual plants with no trauma to the root zone. The result is a healthier plant that grows more quickly.
How do you grow your plants?
Most of our plug trays are started from cuttings that are taken from larger plants. This cloning insures that we provide you with the proper variety. Cuttings are taken when the time is right to cut each plant. This could be once a year or several times a year. Therefore, different plug trays are available at different times throughout the year. All plants are USDA certified organic.
How many plants will I receive in a plug tray? How big are they?
Each tray contains 128 plugs which are approximately 3/4 of an inch in diameter and one inch in depth. The height depends on the variety but is usually not more than a half inch.
What is the price per plant?
Each plug is between $0.90 and $1.50. Plug tray prices are based on 120 plugs instead of 128 plugs to accommodate any issues we can’t see.
Ordering
Can I cancel or change my order?
If you wish to cancel or change an order, email us right away at customerservice@mountainvalleygrowers.com. Once it has been packed for pick up, orders cannot be cancelled or changed.
Do you take backorders? What if what I want is not in-stock?
We do not take back orders or pre-orders for plug trays. If the variety you are looking for is not in stock, please sign up to be notified when we have more. You can do this on the page of the plant you are interested in. We normally update inventory and send out notifications each Thursday.
If you receive a notification of an item being in stock and find it is again out-of-stock by the time you get to the site to order, it is because we produce a limited amount each week and someone else beat you to it. If you are still interested, please re-enter your email address to be notified of the next time your desired item is in-stock.
What if I want to order before the last frost or during extreme temperatures?
We do not ship to areas that are freezing or on a route that has freezing temperatures. If your area has not experienced its last frost or if your area is experiencing temperatures over 100 degrees, you will need to waive your warranty.
Shipping
How do we ship?
We ship plug trays either by UPS Ground or UPS 2-day air, depending on your location.
How can I make the most of my shipping costs?
The special shipping box we use for plug tray orders fits two plug trays. We calculate shipping costs per box, so we recommend ordering an even number of trays for the best value.
Will I get a tracking number?
Yes, we will email you a UPS tracking number so you will know when the order should arrive.
When will you ship my order?
Our shipments go out on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. You will receive a shipment confirmation with your tracking number by email once UPS picks up your order.
Can you ship my order to a P.O. Box?
Unfortunately, we cannot. It is necessary to ship to a physical street address; UPS cannot deliver packages to a P.O. Box.
Do I have to be present for delivery?
Usually, yes. We can only guarantee the package up to the first attempted delivery. If UPS requires a signature upon delivery, it is your responsibility to ensure someone is available at the delivery address to receive the package.
What is your plant and shipping guarantee?
Our guarantee covers any damage which occurs during shipping. When your order arrives, please inspect it carefully. The box should be opened and inpsected the day it arrives. Plants need to be removed from their shipping containers the same day they arrive. We do require a picture taken the same day they arrive when you email us to let us know there was an issue. You have 7 days from the date of arrival of your order to notify us of any problems caused in shipping (but your photo must be taken the day they arrive).
Your guarantee does not cover your order if no one is available to receive the shipment when the carrier makes the first attempt to deliver your package, whether the order is left at the shipping address or not. We do not cover orders where plants are delivered when no one is present, or if the order spent days riding back and forth in the delivery vehicle or spent the weekend in the warehouse. We don’t want your plants to arrive wilted or dead any more than you do, and we are more than willing to work with you on arrival dates to ensure a seamless hand-off. It is important to make sure plants do not sit in the sun while you are away. We supply a UPS tracking number so you will know when the order should arrive.
We also cannot guarantee packages with incorrect or incomplete addresses. We create the shipping label from the address you enter during checkout. In a situation where the carrier is unable to deliver your package, by the time it is returned to us (usually a week or more after shipping), the plants may no longer be viable and we will not refund the order or send replacement plants. For this reason, we urge you to please make sure to double-check your shipping address. UPS charges us an extra $16.40 for any incorrect or incomplete shipping labels if even one digit in the shipping address is incorrect. We reserve the right to charge the original payment method to cover this fee. (Please note UPS increases this fee at random intervals.)
Please note that we are not responsible for shipments lost or damaged because of Terrorism or Acts of God (such as sudden flash floods or tornadoes or pandemics), delay caused by the inspection of the box by the USDA or problems that UPS may have.
We do not cover shipping costs due to UPS delays but you may file a claim with UPS. To submit a claim for shipping costs, go to UPS.com and paste your tracking number in the box that says “TRACK”. On the next screen, you will find a button that says “file a claim”. They will send us paperwork to fill out. This process usually takes about two weeks.
We do not warranty any plant for more than the original price paid.
Success with your new plants
How do I care for my plug trays upon arrival?
Plug Trays should be unpacked promptly, set outside, and watered. They can either be planted directly into moist ground or into containers with high quality potting soil. These small plants dry out quickly and should be checked often to insure the plug's root ball remains moist. It can take a month or more for a new plant to become established into the soil around it. Until this happens, the plant can only use the moisture in the root ball. If the ground around the root ball dries out, the dry ground will take the moisture from the root ball. Once the small plant puts roots out into the soil around it, the moisture and nutrients from the ground become available to it.
If you are trying to plant in the heat of summer, you may need to water more often than you think. Physically check the soil often throughout the day to make sure your new plants are not drying out. If you are not removing plants from the plug trays for a while, make sure they stay watered.
COVID-19 response
As a mail-order business, we plan to keep taking orders, growing great plants, and shipping them across the country for as long as we possibly can. If you place an order and circumstances change, we will notify you via email to determine a way to address the situation.
Gardening is a good social distancing activity! Get out there and grow your own food and herbs, and maybe grow some flower food for the birds and bees too.
Safety measures
We're working hard to keep our employees safe while they prepare and care for your plants. We're regularly sanitizing the nursery's surfaces with organic-compatible commercial sanitizer and encouraging our employees to wear the gloves and masks available to them here. Fortunately, we have a lot of room to spread out, so it's easier to keep six feet apart than it is in some places!