I don't really understand how putting it in the basement would aid root development. How would that work? I'd just plant it in the garden. Blueberries are totally hardy and the sooner they feel the earth the better I would have thought.

FWIW, bare root plants typically do have a minimum amount of roots. It doesn't seem to hold them back at all and I'd agree that planting in the ground asap is the best way to handle them.

Your subject title is confusing :-) The plants are already dormant - that's how bare root plants are harvested and sold.....during dormancy. The intent is to get them planted before they emerge from dormancy. And I agree with floral that planting in the ground is the proper way to encourage root development, not storing them in the basement.

It's currently only 32F here and only expected to hit a max of 47F today but bare root planting season is in full swing - fruit trees and berries, roses and various deciduous shrubs are on sale in area nurseries now bare root for immediate planting.

Thank you! I've only bought a few bare root plants, this one seemed to have way less than the others. I thought deciduous plants focused on root development during dormancy, so it made sense at the time! Thanks for the advice

There is no root development during dormancy. In fact, there is really no activity at all during this period - growth, root development and virtually all other metabolic activity is halted.