Purdue
University
Consumer Horticulture
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
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Purdue
University
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Released 3 May 2001
by B. Rosie Lerner, Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist
Many gardeners find themselves in a quandary when moving to a new
home. Although some gardeners might enjoy the challenge of starting
over, most just hate the thought of leaving all of their beautiful
flowers and shrubs behind.
If you're going to try and take some of the plants with you, you need to prepare ahead. First, make sure that if you are selling a home, that you are clear with your home's buyer about what plants stay with the house and which ones are moving.
Second, don't try to move an entire botanic garden; pick and choose a few of your very favorites so that you can take the best care to help them adjust to the move.
The hot, generally dry weather of summer is about the worst time of year to move any plant. Ideally, you should move plants at the end of the dormant season in late winter or early spring. If that is not possible, the next best time is to wait until late summer or early fall.
If you must move plants in the summer, realize that you are likely to lose some of the root system, no matter how carefully you dig. Move as large a clump as possible, using burlap, plastic sheeting or trays to keep the root ball intact during the move. Shade the plants from sun and wind during the move, and replant them just as soon as possible to prevent the roots from drying.
Prepare a planting area at the new location ahead of time, so that the plants will be ready to move right in upon arrival. Be sure that you will have a source of water to establish good root-to-soil contact immediately after planting and to follow up during post-planting.
Once in the new location, water thoroughly to establish good root-to-soil contact. You may need to pamper them with more frequent than usual watering. Hot, dry, windy weather will often cause the plants to wilt, even if the soil is moist, since the roots are not yet established in the new location. Provide shade, if possible, to protect from hot afternoon sun. Apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded or chipped bark, to conserve moisture, cool the soil and minimize competition from weeds.
Last updated: 6 April 2006
For questions concerning this page, send a message to homehort@purdue.edu.
The URL for this page is http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/transplanting.html