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A Must-Read Guide on Tips for Moving Plants
Did you get a new job in another state? We’re aware of the stress that comes with uprooting yourself, especially if you have a garden at your old house. If you are an avid gardener, your plants, shrubs, and trees are likely as important as your pets so leaving them behind is something you definitely want to avoid.
The good news is that you don’t have to. With a little forethought and careful attention, your new plants can survive the journey. We aim to help you accomplish the task of moving your garden while keeping it alive in the process.
How to move home and keep your garden includes:
Prepare in advance
Transport with care
Water well
Avoid severe drought
Moving Tips for healthy plants
A few basic tips can go a long way when trying to decide how to get your garden moved over safely to your new abode. Relocating plants doesn’t have to be as strenuous as it sounds:
1. climate & Overheating on Summer Moves
Moving during the hot summer or cold can really be the pits of stressing growing conditions, but sometimes you just can’t avoid it. You have to take extra care of your greenery to ensure it doesn’t overheat or die out of cold when transitioning from one location and environment to another.
This is especially the case for plants that you shouldn’t uproot during the summer months.
If you have to move out of season, make how long plants stay in the sun or in the back of a moving vehicle is kept to a minimum.
Ensure the roots stay completely covered and protected from heat or wind.
Give them extra water directly before and after the move, to make up for anything lost during transport.
Keep greenery in an airy, cool place upon arrival for a few days to let them settle and adjust before placing them in the sun.
Explore the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to benchmark and determine if your plants are likely to thrive.
2. Prepare their New Location & HOMe
You don’t want to get so caught up in your move that you arrive at your new house to realize there’s nowhere to put your plants. Avoid the stress and prepare everything in advance. Mark each variety’s location so there’s no confusion when you’re replanting.
When you get to your new home, all you need to do is transplant everything into its designated area, so no plant is left to die in the in-between phase.
Are your plants going directly into the ground? Prepare the soil and make sure it’s well-watered prior to the transplant. If you have the potted variety, go ahead and prepare those pots or buckets as well.
3. packing & Moving Materials
Large potted plants could survive the move in their original containers. However, with everything else, you’ll need to organize a safe trip while in transport.
Besides your classic pots, and buckets, burlap is a superb, and inexpensive material known to protect integrity, specifically the roots, from wind and sun. It’s also breathable, making it a viable option if you’re moving during the summertime.
Consider additional mobile storage on-hand for carrying and transport. You won’t know when ropes, heavy-duty bags, and handles come in handy, and you can always removalist gear for other purposes once your garden is in place at your new home.
4. Remove Excess Foliage
Do you have dry stems or extra foliage hanging on your plants? Go ahead and clean them by removing these bits before you move. Doing this can help minimize any trauma faced during the moving process.
5. Dig your soil gently
Don’t get carried away when it comes time to uproot all your plants. Instead, a little caution and care can go a long way.
We recommend using a hand shovel to gently dig around the plant’s stem, creating space to lift the root out of the soil. For larger plants, you’ll want to dig around 6 inches deep.
Once you’ve lifted the plants out of the ground or their previous container, make sure to leave any soil in place that’s stuck near the roots. This will act as a protective shield during your move.
Choose Your Method
You could be shipping all of your belongings or going the old-school way of transporting everything by car. Either way, there are some rules to follow so your plants don’t die unexpectedly:
Shipping Greenery
It’s important to know that plants will be shipped in boxes and could take up to five days to arrive. This means they won’t be attended to during that period. Curious how to pack plants for moving?
Choose sturdy boxes that won’t collapse.
Label the boxes so handlers know to treat them with care.
Water your plants well before packing them.
Ship at the beginning of the week to avoid any delay over the weekend.
Slowly reintroduce the sun post-shipping to avoid shock.
According to moving professionals What Storage, scouting for companies who specialize in delicate cargos is a no brainer. Removalists handle primarily secure loads that can take a hit and most simply don’t know how to handle greenry.
Use A Car
Yes, it’s the more traditional way to go, but it also provides you with the most control. This way, you can keep an eye on your beloved plants when moving from one place to another.
You can also choose to pack them in open containers where they can get oxygen and water along the way if necessary. Make sure to pack them tightly to avoid any shifting about. Newspaper and bubble wrap would come in handy here.
Avoid Trucks
If possible, avoid large trucks. They don’t provide any light or air, which is a surefire way to kill your plants during the move.
Is it a short move? You might be okay. Otherwise, choose another method to be on the safe side.
Let’s Replant
At this point, you should be situated into your new home. Congratulations!
It’s time to replant so you can reap the rewards of the garden, all from the comfort of your fresh abode.
Don’t Delay
The longer your plants are out of the soil, the more time it will take for them to set and then thrive in their new location. Avoid this by getting them planted as soon as possible.
Before planting them, make sure to water the soil well, especially the area around the roots.
Remove Stressors
Once you’ve settled your plants, take some extra care:
Provide shade and avoid direct sunlight for a couple of days.
Water the plants every day until they’re showing signs of growth.
For some useful tips on repotting plants, watch this video:
Last-Minute Details
What to Take vs. What to Leave Behind
It’s always better to work smart and not hard. In this case, it means giving some thought as to which plants are worth the effort of relocating in the first place.
Much of it is up to personal preference, but imagine the ones you can’t be without? Those that you’ve gardened for years on end and other precious ones should be at the top of your list.
Herbal varieties and simple plants that proliferate easily and are cost-effective might not be as much of a priority. You could easily pick up a few of these from the local shop once you’re settled.
Laws & Moving Plants Across State Lines
Are you moving from one state to another?
Do be aware that agricultural laws differ between them, and you’ll need to prepare accordingly. Pest control and economic reasons are factors that the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) considers when making these rules.
Outdoor and indoor plants are affected here. In California, for example, your house varieties need to check multiple boxes on the form.
Others would require sterilized potting soil while banning certain species for being invasive or having ill effects
Check out the National Plant Board’s website for rules and regulations as they apply to each state.
Got Some Problem Plants?
After completing your careful research, you may find that some of your plants fall under this category. So, what should you do?
Depending on the plant and your state, you could be asked to pay a prohibitive fine if you’re caught. Avoid the hassle and gift them to the future owner of your old house, instead. You could also donate them to your neighbors or friends in the area.
Check for Pests
Another crucial point that you’ll want to check before crossing borders is to make sure that your plants are pest-free. Otherwise, there’s a chance your garden could be seized along the interstate.
Moreover, you don’t want any infections or bugs to spread in your new garden and harm your newly replanted plants that need due care and attention.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite as thrilling as getting set up in a new house. Moving your garden is like icing on the cake and feeling confident doing so is key.
It doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process with a little organization and preparation in advance. We promise, it’ll be worth it.
Make sure you’ve checked in with your new state’s laws so you aren’t disappointed when some of your plants don’t make it across the border. For those that are problematic or just plain difficult to move, make your peace with them before you go. You don’t want any added stress in the process.
If you can, avoid a summer move, which can further traumatize your plants. Make sure to water them, and their new home well, before and after the move. Treat them to some shade and keep an eye as they adjust over the following days.
Best of luck with moving your plants, you’ll be enjoying your new garden before you know it.
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