One might think that you can’t take your garden with you when you and your family move to a new house. Actually, you can take it with you. However, you need to be careful what you do to assure that you don’t kill your plants in the process. You will be digging up, transporting, and replanting flora and if you don’t do that with some caution your plants could die.
The process should not be performed haphazardly. There needs to be a plan before you begin.
The Plan
You plan for moving your garden should involve these considerations.
- Choose the season you move.
- Mark plant locations in your new garden to be.
- Prepare your plants for transportation.
- Follow a special watering schedule prior to the move.
- Trim excess stems.
- Digging up your plants.
- Re-plant the plants.
- Minimize stress on the plants.
Choose The Season You Move
If you intend to bring your garden with you, then it is very important to choose the season when you move to your new house. The worst time to move along with your garden is during the summer. The dryness can damage the roots of the plants; the sun is especially hot, which can cause damage,
Never expose the roots to the sun, heat or wind. Although it may be tempting to remove plants from pots and put them where you want in your new garden, roots will dehydrate quickly. It’s best to remove the plant from its pot just before planting it.
Any other season but summer will suffice for your move.
Mark Plant Locations
Before the move prepare the location at your new house where you intend to replant your garden. Make sure the area is ready for transplanting. That means you should visually mark where each plant is going so there is no confusion. Make sure that the spots on the ground are already dug out and big enough at the new location before anything is dug up at the old location.
Prepare Plants For Transportation
When moving your plants from your old home to your new house, wrap the root ball of each plant in burlap for transportation.
Follow A Special Watering Schedule Prior To The Move
You want the plants well hydrated for the move. This assures that they survive what is called “the jolt of transit.”
Make sure that the roots are soaked. Bare root plants need to be prepared with a little more caution. These plants include shrubs, Hosta, Daylilies, Roses, Fruit Trees, and Prarie Onion.
The bottom of these plants needs to be submerged in water for two to three hours before being replanted.
Trim Excess Stems
Cut off any stems or foliage that are dying or in overabundance. This will help reduce the trauma on the plants.
Digging Up The Plants
When it is finally time to dig up the plants from your old garden, use a hand shovel and dig a ring around the main stem of the plant. Be cautious to pay attention to where the roots are. This is the drip line or the area the plant drips onto the ground.
The ring you should dig around larger plants should be at least 6-inches deep. Be aware that when you cut around any size plant you will probably be cutting some roots. That’s okay. However, make sure these cuts are clean, not torn.
After the ring has been dug, use a larger shovel or several shovels for larger plants to pop them out of the ground. Be sure not to remove any soil from the root ball of each plant. Cover the roots of the plants as described above and put them into your vehicle for transportation.
Re-Plant The Plants
Before placing the plants into the new garden, be sure to water the holes and trenches you’ve created. Place the plant into the hold and put a little more water in, then gently top the roots off with some soil.
Make sure that the soil is solid, but not too dense so it won’t smother the plant.
Place the plants into the new garden as soon as possible. Keep in mind, the longer the plant is out of the soil, the harder it will be to set.
Minimize Stress On The Plants
Once the plants are installed, provide them with a little shower of water to cool off the leaves. Offer some shade for plants that are in direct sunlight for at least two or so days. Be prepared to water the plants every day until they grow strong. It is suggested that you do this in the cooler parts of the day. If you notice anything drooping, water immediately.
(Source: blog.hireahelper.com)
