Field Growing Bonsai in Zone 4b?

I have several pre-bonsai under 5 years old. Last winter I kept them in pots in an uninsulated shed. Most survived, but a few (like Japanese larch) had root damage and grew poorly this year.I’m in Zone 4b (North Dakota) and wonder if it’s better to plant them in the ground and protect with mulch and burlap for winter. Species are silver maple, Norway spruce, Chinese juniper, and Siberian larch.Has anyone tried this approach in a similar climate?

Your best bet is to dine a local bonsai club and ask them about winter care in your area.

Pay most attention to those with the longest surviving trees.

Ivan Mann wrote:

Your best bet is to dine a local bonsai club and ask them about winter care in your area.

ThatcPay most attention to those with the longest surviving trees.

That should be "find".

I think north dakota gets quite a lot of snow? Then the answer is yes. Put them on the ground and shovel snow on them. Snow is a great isolator. Best and most natural for small trees. 

Tropfrog wrote:

I think north dakota gets quite a lot of snow? Then the answer is yes. Put them on the ground and shovel snow on them. Snow is a great isolator. Best and most natural for small trees. 

North Dakota also gets very cold, with months below 0F/-18C or so.  I had a friend fly up there for Christmas who got off the plane to -26F/-32C. Local experts could say what trees can survive that climate and how to protect them.

What the temperature is above the snow is of no interest. Under 10cm of snow the temperature is stable around -1 to -3.