Interior Design

Transplanting Plants Takes Care

For the most optimum growth, transplanting plants can often be necessary.  If you have a potted plant, there may not be any soil left in the container, only roots.  Some plants become too crowded in the garden and may need to thinned out.

When it comes to transplanting plants, the best time of year is during the spring, while the plants, trees, or shrubs are still dormant.  If the plant has already come out of winter hibernation, trying to transplant them can work but it puts a tremendous stress on the plants, which is why they will usually die if moved too late in the year.

Entry Plants and Backyard Patio Plants

The differences in your front and backyard plants can be essential.  If your front yard faces the South and your backyard faces the North they will receive differing amounts of sun.  If you are transplanting a plant that has done well in your North facing backyard to the South facing front, it may not do as well.

First, find the perfect location for your transplanted plant, then prepare the area.  Have the hole ready and fresh soil on hand to gently pack your front or backyard plants into place.  Be sure to keep the root ball intact with a small amount of soil while moving it to its new home.

With transplanting plants, a good rule to follow is that for every one inch of stem caliper, you need about 12 inches of root ball.  While some people worry about cutting some of the roots, it will not hurt.  Just be sure the roots are not cut shorter than the one inch of stem caliper to 12 inches of root ball guideline.  If you do this, you will rejuvenate the plant with what is called pruning of the roots.

Once you have dug up the plant or separated it, shake some dirt from it and prune a tiny bit of the roots, this will aid in root growth.  The freshly cut root ends would then be able to absorb nutrients from the fresh, nutrient rich soil and promote expansion of the root system.

Transplanting Rock Plants

Now, if you want to consider rock plants for transplanting, you may find that you have to move the rocks to get enough of the root so the existing and cut plant to move is not damaged.  Sometimes, rock plants will wrap the root around the rock or deep underneath so you will need to make sure you can gain proper access to get enough of the root or consider some other types of front or backyard plants to transplant.

To find more information on landscaping go to Outdoor Landscaping Ideas