Plant them as soon as possible. DO NOT let the roots dry out. If they are somewhat dry now, soak them in a bucket of water for about an hour before planting. If your soil freezes in the winter months then mulch them after planting.

I agree. You should plant them now as long as the ground isn't frozen, so that they can start to grow and the roots don't dry out. They won't grow so much during the winter, but once spring comes next year they should grow quick. If you really have to, you can plant them in pots for the winter and then plant them in the spring, but you risk losing them.

Yep. Now is a good time which is why they are selling them at this time. Soak them overnight if you wish in B vitamin solution to give them a good start; as the other poster said, do not let them dry out. Dig your planting area first, before you take them out of the box or wrap.

Oh thank you all very much! They wont arrive for up to three weeks more, I purchased them with a delay shipping. I am soooooo excited! I wanted to plant them in some really big pots because I am renting. Do you think that is a good idea? I also got some seeds at a store yesterday for some Bat Plants and all kinds of others. They didn't come with the instructions on the outside and when I got home and read them .... oh my.... I don't know if I can do it :( I think I had better ask about plants next time. I will be on here doing a lot of reading and learning. I am so thankful for all of your help everyone..

Michelle

Use a commercial potting soil as it is usually lightweight and provides fast drainage. When planting into large (12-24") pots be aware that there can be a tendency to keep the soil in the pot too wet. It will take a while (several months) for the roots to grow big enough to absorb a lot of watering. Until they do, it is best to keep the soil slightly dry, probably as much as half way down into the container before applying more water. In fact, it might be better to start them in one gallon sized pots (trim the roots to fit) and then tranfer them to larger containers later in the Spring after they have leafed out and new growth has started. Apply fertilizer after new growth starts and at least monthly thereafter. I like Miracle-gro as it can be mixed with water & applied when the pot is watered. Glenn

Thank you very much Glenn. I will do just that. :)

naturesluxuries, welcome to the wonderful world of gardening. I have been gardening for 45+ years, since my gransmother helped me plant some green beens and pansies. Beens did well and my Mom loved the flowers by the way.
Anyway, my philosophy of gardening is, no work. the less work the better ::smiles his jolly smile:: of course, gardening is a lot of work but I have found that a lot of things are not necessary. Things like raised beds, elaborate systems and such are helpful in certain very difficult circumstances, but more often than not it's not needed. Simple works very well.
Simple gardening. First rule, soil grows thing very well, not amendments. Amendments are like chocolate, you can't live on them. The best soils start with the natural dirt that already exists. The dirt part of soil is the main and most important part of a soil. With all the complicated systems, you could easily think that the dirt part was a problem or even the enemy. It's not. It is the most basic building block and most important part of a good garden soil. And, it's easy! It's already there in your yard.
The other part of soil is the part that makes it fertile. The easiest way to accomplish that is mulch. You may see lot about compost, and all kinds of other stuff you can add, and that can be a good thing. I do some composting. But it's WAAAAYYYY easier to just put the stuff you would compost with right on top of the ground in a layer around the plants. This serves so many good functions, it shades the ground keeping it cool, it stops most weeds from coming up, it helps stop erosion from rain and wind, it helps the soil retain and use water more efficiently, it decomposes adding all kinds of nutrients slowly and efficiently, and helps to improve the structure of the dirt part of soil. All that and all you had to do was put the mulch there, one time, and leave it. Easy. I have done this for 30 years and have called this mulch bed gardening. There is a new trend afoot to call it lasagna gardening. What a fun name.
When you plant your berries, do not add anything to the soil that you put back in the hole. They used to recommend adding stuff, but for the last few years more and more research says you are better to keep the stuff you would have added and put it on top with the mulch. Easy again. Oh, and never add sand or stuff like that to a heavy soil. It will turn your already heavy soil into concrete!.
One more thing, I can't remember why or where I learned it, but I seem to remember that it's not good to plant raspberries and blackberries near each other. They should be a considerable distance apart, more than just a few feet.

Thank you very much for your help. Now I have a new question. I have started preparing a section of the yards dirt for gardening and the cats seem to think it is a litter box. Does anyone else have this problem?