Move plants safely from point A to point B
The best time to transplant hydrangeas and other garden plants is in spring or fall when temperatures stay cool, protecting your plants from transplant shock.
Proper plant transplanting starts with watering your plant thoroughly a few hours before moving it, which moistens the soil and makes the transition easier on roots.
After you transplant your plant, water the soil daily for about three weeks to encourage root growth and help your plant establish in its new location.
Hiring a local gardening professional provides expert guidance on timing and technique, especially when moving trees or shrubs that need careful handling to avoid transplant shock.
If a particularly stubborn garden plant isn’t thriving in one area of your yard, you may consider uprooting it and trying again in a different area. Whatever your reasoning for transporting your plants, without proper care, moving them can shock them, leading to untimely deaths. Follow these plant transporting steps to keep your leafy friends in good health.
A few hours or up to a day before you plant to transition a garden plant, give the plant a thorough watering to moisten the soil. This step will make it easier to move the plant into its new home. For bare-root plants, soak the root ball in a container of water for a few hours before transplanting.
It’s essential to consider the timing of your transplant before making any sudden moves. For flowering plants, move them before they begin to flower or afterward to make the process easier. Choose a cloudy day or plant during a cooler evening rather than on a hot day to avoid transplant shock.
Before you transplant the plant, dig a hole using a shovel or trowel where the new plant will go. The new hole should be about as deep as the length of the root system or root ball and about two times wider than the root ball. Water the new hole until the soil becomes the consistency of mud.
Right before you move the plant, remove it from its former spot in the yard. Don’t dig out the plant too early—leaving the roots exposed to the air can quickly dry them out. If you’re moving multiple plants, remove them one at a time for transplanting.
Before you transplant the plant, check its root ball. Carefully loosen compacted roots with your fingers. If the roots have become root-bound at the bottom of the container and fingers won’t loosen them, use the trowel to cut across the base of the root ball, about 1/8-inch deep. The plant will grow new roots into the soil when it is transplanted.
Now, it’s time to move your plant baby into its new home. Place the root ball in the moist soil, and fill in the hole with the previously dug soil. Gently pack the soil around the plant to ensure it doesn’t lean. Then, water the soil and the plant again to help the roots grow and prevent shock.
While this step isn’t necessary, covering newly transplanted plants with floating row covers can help the plant get established. Floating row covers can block out harsh winds, bright sunlight, or cold temperatures that can stress the plant out after its move. If you decide to protect your plants, cover them for about three days after transplanting them.
Give some extra TLC to transplanted plants a few weeks after their move. Water them at least once a day for about three weeks to encourage root growth. For perennials or mature plants, prune them by about one-third, which will help the plant focus its nutrients toward the roots rather than budding flowers or fruits. Once the roots are established in their new location, you can allow the plant to put more energy toward blossoming.
Transplanting plants requires care to keep the plants in good health, but it’s easy for even a beginner home gardener to handle this task. Still, if you’re trying to transplant a new tree or shrub, it can be helpful to hire a local gardening professional. Plus, a pro will be best equipped to avoid plant transplant shock. Gardeners will cost about $10 to $50 per hour.
The best time to plant transplants is usually in the spring, specifically early in the morning when temperatures are still cool. You may also want to transplant plants in the fall, depending on when you buy the plant and when it blooms. Move plants to the yard before or after they bloom, and avoid moving plants when the weather is hot.
Plant shock refers to environmental stressors on a plant, like dramatic changes in temperature or a lack of water. During transplanting, this result is especially common and can prevent the plant from properly establishing in its new spot. That’s why it’s important to thoroughly water a plant before and after transplanting, and make sure to move it when the temperature isn’t too hot.
Some plants in your yard need transplanting to new locations to rebloom, while potted plants may outgrow their containers and need more room to spread their roots. Like a growing family that needs a bigger home, some plants may outgrow their pot or spot in the garden and need more space.
Custom Paint Jobs LLC made our home feel like a piece of art. Thank you for your creativity!
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCWindow Depot did an amazing job on my deck. I wasnt sure what I wanted to do, but their composite decking was affordable and will last a long time. I am excited to have family over, and I am no longer embarrassed by my backyard. Jeff and the ground crew were polite, respectful, and caring for...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioFirst of all, the gentleman I dealt with (Cam?) was very responsive to my many questions and concerns throughout the project, which is a huge plus to me. From the first time I met him for the estimate all the way til the completion of the job, he and his crew were professional and respectful....
All Star Paving and SealingWe had a 20+ year old landscape lighting system that needed replacement. Midwest Lightscapes worked with us to design a much improved lighting system, lighting the exterior of the house and the back yard. Installation of the 45 light system took one and one-half days, and went very smoothly....
Midwest LightscapesAnother great success for me on home advisor. This company did an awesome job on my landscaping and stayed within my budget. The best part, the work was complete within 2 days of my initial request. Professional and responsive. I highly recommend!
Blue Ring Residential Services, LLCThe company no showed on me twice. The 2nd time was no call no show. They were responsive to set up the first appointment to perform the "landscape cleanup". 3 hours after their initial scheduled appointment time they called me to let me know they had some "problem" with the truck and their...
Ruby Home and Hauling ServicesReceived ideas for future landscape plans...quote to do the work seemed a bit high but I did not have any other quotes to compare it to, so perhaps that is the going rates. <br />
Landscapes By Terra, IncAll around they have done a really great job. <br /> I have used JL Landscapes for the past 8 years. I own and operate my own commercial/residential real estate company where we own, operate, and maintain our own properties. JL Landscapes has been our exclusive landscaper for both our...
J.L. LandscapesBought a half a cord of firewood from Pitzer with stacking last month. I waited to report so I could see how the wood burned. <br /> <br /> I have three pet peeves regarding landscapers, but Pitzer scored "A"s regarding all three. First, rather than having customers "leave a message" and...
Pitzer LandscapingI left a message on Sunday requesting to schedule a time to obtain an estimate/walk-through and received a return call in the morning of the following Monday. Mark worked with me and agreed to schedule the estimate/walk-through for the following Saturday. When Mark arrived for the...
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Hoping to reinvigorate your current garden with a few new blooms, veggies, or trees? We'll take it step by step, from choosing new plants to helping them grow.
If you need or want to move a tree to a new spot, it’ll take some effort. Learn how to transplant a tree to move it successfully.
You need to consider various factors when moving or planting flowers. Learn more about when to transplant garden plants for the best success rate.
A heat wave can cause major damage to your garden if you don’t step in. Find out how to identify and prevent heat stress in plants.
Your small garden can make a big difference in pollinator conservation. Find out how to plant for pollinators and attract native bees, butterflies, and insects.
Although spring is the prime growing season, it’s not the best time to start all plants. To learn which types are better suited for planting in the fall or summer, read on.
