It can take years of planting and care to create a magnificent garden. That’s why the prospect of relocating or moving houses can induce anxiety in gardeners. Whether you plant ornamentals, or if you grow your own vegetables, having to start over can be a daunting task. Many gardeners and hobbyists also keep expensive or heirloom plants, that may be difficult to replace. Here are some suggestions for safely relocating your plants to your new home.
Check Laws
If you’re just moving across town, this probably isn’t a big deal, but there are often very specific restrictions on what you can move across state lines or even international boundaries. It’s imperative that you don’t introduce any invasive species to a new area, and to make sure that you aren’t bringing any pests or diseases with you. Contact your local department of agriculture to find out what you can and can’t bring with you.
Prepare Your New Plot
If you have access to your new house ahead of the move, see if you can’t do a little bit of work preparing your garden beds for the plants you are choosing to bring. Be particularly attentive to drainage issues, as improper draining can be a nightmare to deal with.
It may be possible to come to an agreement with the person buying your existing home about the fact that you wish to return to remove some of the plants at a later time, especially if you’re moving when the weather will be harder on the plants.
Get The Roots
When removing the plants, you want to make sure that you get as much of the root as possible. Thoroughly soak the roots the day before you plan to remove them to make sure the plant is well-hydrated, and to help loosen the soil.
If they’re not going to be out of the ground for long, you can line some cardboard boxes with plastic and put the plants you wish to keep in there with plenty of soil. If you’re making a longer trip, you may want to consider potting the plants to help protect them during the move.
Handle With Care
Check with your moving company to see if they will move your plants. Even if they will, you may want to move them yourself so you know that they are being properly cared for. Keep the plants out of direct sunlight and as cool as you can.
Leaving them in the back of the car on a hot summer day is a great way to wilt them quickly. Make sure that they are packed loosely and that other items you’re moving don’t crush or damage them.
Plant Them Quickly
You will want to get your plants back in the ground as quickly as possible. The best time to replant them is in the evening hours when it is cooler and they will have the whole night to soak up water before the sun hits them the next day. The longer they are out of the ground, the more likely it will be that they have difficulty adjusting to their new home. Be sure to cover them with a thick layer of mulch to help retain moisture.
Tend Them Carefully
Once in the ground, inspect the plants for any damaged leaves, branches, or stems, and remove the damaged ones so that they don’t sap resources from the healthy parts of the plant. You may want to find a way to shade them for the first few days to allow the root system to re-establish itself before exposing the plants to direct sunlight. Pay attention to any signs of wilting and water immediately if necessary.
Remember that any time you remove a plant from its home, you will shock the entire plant. Don’t be surprised if some of your plants seem to lose some of their vitality for weeks, or possibly even the rest of the season. Feed your plants as necessary, and give them plenty of time to adjust. It may be next spring before they return to their former glory, but when they do, it will have been worth it.
Author Bio:
Elizabeth Lee is a content expert and a blogger specializing in the areas of business and logistics, but also enjoying lighter topics like self-improvement, travel or gardening. Currently writing for PACK & SEND, Elizabeth might often be found online, sharing her tips with businesses and individuals alike. Feel free to follow her at @LelizabethLee86.
Start Shopping for Gardening Supplies!
Landscaping Specialists Share Tips For Achieving A Garden That Is Easy To Care For
Unknown to most property owners, a healthy, beautiful landscape won’t require many resources for its maintenance. With the adequate planning and the proper usage of resources, you can actually build an enticing landscape without requiring much of your effort and time....
Frugal Landscaping —Lawn Specialists Share 6 Great Tips
Landscaping is one of the things you can do to enhance the aesthetic value of your property. However, it can be quite a costly effort; you can spend hundreds of dollars for every little change you wish to apply to the layout of your lawn or garden. So, forget...
Lawn Care Experts Share Some Reasons For A PH Test
Over-fertilization is among the biggest mistakes property owners make when it comes to lawn care. In turn, this can lead to damages and unnecessary costs. To ensure the health of your lawn, you need to be very generous and quick in using lawn tonics. Putting too much...
Lawn Care 101
A uniform appearance gives a classic look to any home however your lawn has to be carefully maintained to preserve its original look and feel. Lawn care advice from a pro will help keep property looking its best. Experienced professionals understand what grass will...
Lawn Saver – Artificial vs Natural Turf
Every backyard needs a lush expanse of green lawn, or so we’re told. However, with brutal climates and droughts keeping a lawn alive, let alone thick and green, can be more of a struggle than it’s worth. This is why so many people these days are turning instead to...
The Best Advice For Picking Patio Planters
Adding planted containers to your patio space is a guaranteed way to increase its looks. With containers available in countless textures, designs, shapes, colors, and sizes it really allows you to get creative with how you want your space to look. Here are some tips...
Green Tips for a Green Garden
Unwanted pests and unwanted weeds are always popping up in the garden. These can ruin flowers or other plants around the yard. Instead of using dangerous chemical pesticides as a means of pest control, there are organic alternatives that work just as well. Here are...
The Top Tips For Choosing Patio Trees
No one wants their patio to look like a barren wasteland especially if it’s somewhere they spend a lot of time. While natural stone, outdoor tiles, and brickwork can all be very attractive, to make them truly complete all patios need some surrounding trees. Luckily...
Kitchen Gardens For Beginners
Within the last few years, both organic foods and farmers’ markets have exploded in popularity. This in turn has attracted many homeowners to the idea of kitchen gardens. While they were much more common years ago when growing your own food was the norm, today they...
Top Tips When Looking For The Best Landscaping Services
Owning a beautiful and well-furnished home is among the most important considerations that everyone aspires to achieve. It is certain that getting expert landscaping services can prove a challenge because most of those self-proclaimed experts fail to deliver what is...
How to Hire Landscaping Services
When someone is looking for a new home, one of the first things they will see is the exterior of the home. Proper landscaping can significantly boost your property value. Most homeowners can handle the basic maintenance of a landscaped yard, but getting to that point...