Shipping Policy
We take great care in shipping live, healthy plants and plant materials. However, we are not Amazon cranking out next-day deliveries!
We are a small family farm with a small team, and we ship plants to growers across many climate zones. Our goal is always to ship plants at the correct time for your region, not simply as fast as possible.
Because of this, shipping timelines for plants are seasonal and may vary slightly depending on weather and order volume. Please carefully review the details below.
When Orders Ship
Non-Plant Products:
Orders containing non-plant items typically ship within 5 business days.
During peak shipping season (February–June), processing may take up to 10 business days if order volume is high.
Delivery time after shipment will vary depending on destination and carrier.
Live Plant Materials:
Most live plant materials ship seasonally in the spring or fall.
Typical shipping windows:
Spring shipping season: February through early summer
Fall shipping season: August through October
Many plant products are available for pre-order throughout the year, but will only ship during their appropriate planting window.
If you place an order during the active shipping season, most plant orders ship within a 2–3 week fulfillment window.
Specific shipping windows are listed on individual product pages whenever possible.
Weather Delays:
Live plants can be damaged by freezing or extreme heat.
Occasionally we may delay shipments briefly to avoid severe weather that could harm plants in transit.
If you have specific shipping instructions or concerns, please include them in the order notes and we will do our best to communicate before shipping.
Shipping Rates
Shipping rates are calculated automatically at checkout based on package weight, package size, shipping destination, and current carrier rates.
Rates are determined by the shipping carrier and may vary depending on order size and location.
Shipping Rate Calculation Errors
Our store uses automated carrier rate calculations. While we do our best to ensure accurate shipping estimates, occasional system errors may occur.
If the actual cost to ship an order is within 20% of the amount paid at checkout, we will cover the difference and ship the order as planned.
If the actual shipping cost exceeds 20% of the amount paid, we will contact the customer before shipping to discuss available options. At that point the customer may:
• pay the additional shipping cost
• modify the order
• cancel the order for a full refund
We will never charge additional shipping without contacting the customer first.
Orders With Multiple Shipping Windows
If your order contains items that ship at different times of the year, the order may be split into multiple shipments based on the correct planting window for each item.
In these cases, items will ship when they are ready for planting in your region.
Mixed Seasonal Orders
When possible, we will combine items in an order to ship together within the same seasonal window. However, if an order contains plants with significantly different shipping windows, items may ship separately at the appropriate planting time for each crop.
In some cases, we may hold earlier-shipping items briefly to combine shipments and reduce packaging and shipping costs. Our goal is always to balance proper planting timing with efficient shipping whenever possible.
Combined Orders
If multiple orders are placed for the same customer and shipping address, we may combine shipments when possible. In some cases, this may affect the originally calculated shipping rate.
If combining orders results in a significant change in shipping cost, we may contact the customer before shipment to confirm any adjustments.
Shipping Methods
Orders may ship via UPS or USPS depending on destination, package size, and the most reliable delivery option.
We offer standard shipping, express shipping (when available), and local pickup for select items.
Tracking Information
Once your order ships, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information.
Please allow the carrier time to update tracking details after the shipment is scanned.
Lost or Damaged Packages
If a package is lost or arrives damaged during transit, please contact us and we will do our best to assist in resolving the issue with the shipping carrier.
Plant Condition on Arrival
Many of the plants we ship are dormant, bareroot, or freshly dug, depending on the season and plant type. This means they may arrive without leaves, or they may appear dry or inactive. This is normal and helps plants travel safely during shipping.
Dormant plants, cuttings, and bareroot materials often begin actively growing after planting and proper watering.
If your plants arrive and you believe there is a problem, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery and include photos of the plant and packaging so we can review the situation.
Because plants are living products and planting conditions vary widely, we cannot guarantee plant performance after planting. However, we are always happy to work with customers to resolve legitimate issues.
Planting Zones and Timing
We ship plants to customers across many different growing zones throughout the United States. While we do our best to ship plants during appropriate seasonal windows, local weather and planting conditions can vary widely.
Customers are responsible for determining the appropriate planting time for their specific region and for providing proper care after delivery.
If you have concerns about planting conditions in your area, please feel free to contact us before placing your order and we will do our best to help guide you.
Returns and Exchanges
Please review our Refund Policy for full details on returns, exchanges, and eligibility.
Click here to review our refund policy.
International Shipping
Most of our products ship within the United States.
Some items are available for shipment to Canada.
Canadian orders require a mandatory $31 government phytosanitary inspection fee, which must be purchased separately in our store. Unfortunately, this fee is required by the government and is outside of our control.
Canadian shipments are typically grouped and shipped at the end of each month.
Customers are responsible for any customs duties, import taxes, or other fees required by their country.
For special arrangements, please contact orders@central.farm.
General Shipping Timeframes
(Subject to change depending on weather and seasonal conditions)
- Willow cuttings, elderberry cuttings, bareroot crowns, comfrey, bareroot trees, bareroot strawberries, brambles, and many root crops typically ship February through May.
- Onion plants ship February–May. Customers select the shipping month when ordering.
- Seed ginger and turmeric rhizomes ship February–April, while sprouted plants ship late May–July.
- Seed potatoes begin shipping in March and may ship through July for northern growing zones.
- Herbs begin shipping in April.
- Sweet potato plants ship in June.
For other plants, please refer to the product description for estimated shipping windows.
Free Shipping Policy
We offer free shipping on orders over $200 with the following exceptions:
-fresh citrus (mandarins, oranges, etc.)
-items from other suppliers (Modern Grower tools, Sustain cover crops, etc.)
-full cases of seed ginger or turmeric
-bulk orders of seed garlic or other products (50 lbs or more)
-items marked local pickup only (such as pallet quantities, compost, etc.)
Questions
If you have any questions about shipping, please contact us at orders@central.farm