How Bulb Shipping Works
Hello! We’re working on fall bulb invoices and we’re noticing that there are a few ways customers can take better advantage of their shipping dollars.
The simplest way to save money and lower your cost per bulb is to order in quantities that fit our standard shipping parameters. *If you are an Alaskan grower, scroll to the bottom. We have a special note for you. 🩷
Example 1: Shipping smaller quantities in boxes.
We offer our tulip bulbs in full crates of 500 bulbs per 7-inch bulb crate. To accommodate smaller growers, we also offer 100-bulb bags. These 100-bulbs bags are but into boxes about the same size as a bulb crate. We can fit 5, 100-bulb bags into each of these boxes. You can save the most money by ordering 100-bulb bags in multiples of 5. We do have some smaller boxes for people who order fewer than 5, but the price of shipping those boxes is not proportionately less than shipping a full crate-size box. For example, we have half-size boxes - but the postage for them is generally just a few dollars less than the postage for a full box.
Example 2: Shipping peony roots
Peony roots generally ship in larger crates (9-inch tall bulb crates). They generally hold 35, like kind roots. We say “generally” because some varieties are a little smaller and some are a little larger and there is some variation each year. Most varieties fit 35 to a crate. Unfortunately we never know exactly how many will come per crate, but in our experience you should “bet on” 35 per crate.
To accommodate smaller growers, we also offer to break apart these crates and sell roots in packs of 5. This is the smallest quantity per variety of peony that you can order from us.
Because peonies are larger and more organic in form, we can’t package them in 5-packs and fit 35 roots back into a box. It’s sort of like taking apart a puzzle, wrapping pieces in packaging and trying to put them back into the same box. It doesn’t work. We can fit about 5, 5-packs into our shipping boxes.
You can save the most money by ordering 35 like-kind roots (7, 5-packs from our catalogue), which is a full crate of the same kind of root. If you want to order smaller quantities, we recommend that you order in multiples of 5, so that you can fill each box with 5, 5-packs.
Example 3: Box Shipping vs Freight Shipping
We find that the “break” between a box-shipped order and a freight-shipped order is around 12 crates/boxes. If you are having fewer than 12 crates/boxes sent to you at once, we will probably be sending them in boxes via a carrier like UPS or FedEx. If you are ordering 12 or more crates, we will probably be sending your order via LTL (less than a truckload) freight. We say “probably” because sometimes factors like your location move the needle a little.
LTL shipment costs are determined by the weight, length, width, and height of the pallet.
While it may be less expensive to have 12 crates shipped to you on a pallet, you can lower your cost per bulb by filling out the full layer— that doesn’t change the height. The height is the highest point, so it makes sense to fill the pallet evenly to that height. 5 crates fit on each layer, so the lowest cost per bulbs when we’re freight shipping is 15 crates, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45. We ship up to 45 crates (9 layers of bulbs crates) on a single pallet.
Here are two scenarios:
If we send a pallet with 12 crates from our warehouse in northern NY to Connecticut, the shipping cost is equal if we add 3 more crates to have 3 full layers of bulbs.
If we collect bids for this same pallet to be shipped to Ohio, the cost of going from 12 crates to 15 crates is only $20 more. $20 is very little when we’re talking about bulb shipping.
Alaskans: Hi! We see you! And we know how hard it can be to have products shipped to you. That’s why we work extra hard to help you find the most economical shipping rates. We explore a variety of different carriers and combinations of carriers. We generally ship smaller order via flat rate USPS boxes. We can break down full tulip crate orders and ship in multiple, large flat rate boxes. If you need a full crate with the bulb crate included, we search for the lowest rate. Right now, that seems to be through UPS. If you require a palletized shipment, we explore freight carriers and can also direct you to a network that works with Alaskans to have shipments flown from Boston to Alaska. In short, we’re willing to work with you to help you get the bulbs and plants you need. If you have other ideas or suggestions for shipping, please reach out. We will do our best to accommodate you.