Every year gardens require a certain amount of annual maintenance. Many perennials grow larger than what the garden can handle creating a problem of overcrowding. Transplanting helps to maintain the growth of the plants to a reasonable size. Other plants may need to be moved to optimize growing ability–to a sunnier or shadier spot in your yard, or moving potted plants to a place in your yard. The following will review the basic steps of transplanting. Some plants do better at specific times of years such as in the fall or early spring while the plant is dormant, so it may be more advantageous to wait until those times of year to transplant.

What You Will Need

Shovel and/or Garden Trowel
Watering Can
Extra Soil

Transplanting Flowers

Step 1: Determine a location to move your plant.

Step 2: Prepare the area for planting by loosening the soil and watering the area.

Step 3: Using your shovel, carefully dig up your flower.

NOTE: Make sure to minimize root damage by leaving enough space around the plant. Create a root ball by digging a circle almost as large in diameter as the top of the plant. If your plant is a ground cover, the roots will be easier to remove from the original location and will not be as deep in the ground. Other flowers require the gardener to dig six to eight inches down to ensure the roots are still intact. Soaking the area around the plant with water for several days prior to the transplant may help to improve the quality of the root ball by allowing the feeder roots to release from the soil more easily.

Step 4: Take your plant to the new location.

NOTE: If you have to keep the plant out of the ground for several days, place the plant in a pot or use a plastic bag around the roots. Keep the roots moist with plenty of water until you can plant the flowers.

Step 5: Situate the flower in the area you have prepared.

Step 6: Water the roots of the plant as needed.

Step 7: Firmly pack the loose soil around the roots of the plant ensuring all roots are covered.

Step 8: Using the watering can, water the plant.

NOTE: You will need to water your plant for several days following the move. This will allow the plant to remain alive while it is taking root in its new location.

Do you have any questions about a specific plant or problem? Please let us know and we will try to provide a solution.