Three Things You Should Do When Moving With Plants

You spent months nurturing their growth, so it only makes sense you would want to take your plants with you when you move to a new home. When it comes time to uproot your green darlings, however, here are some things you need to do to ensure they survive—or can even make—the trip.

Check with the Movers

First and foremost, if you're hiring a moving company to help you relocate to a new place, make sure plants are not a banned item. Many moving companies have a list of things they absolutely will not allow on the moving truck, and plants are one of them because of how easy it is for them to get damaged. If the moving company won't provide transportation for your greenery, then be sure you have a backup option for getting them from one backyard to another.

Prepare Plants

Sudden changes in light, temperature, and other environmental factors can stress plants out and cause them to wilt beyond recovery and even die, no matter how careful you are with them. Thus, it's important that a few weeks before you are set to move you prepare them to be uprooted and replanted.

First, thirsty plants are less tolerant to stress, so make sure the plant gets adequate water in the weeks leading up to your move, especially if it's dry outside. The best time to do this is at night when the water is less likely to evaporate.

Second, trim off all the dead and excess leaves, flowers, and branches. Since there will be times when the plant won't be getting adequate sunlight, the plant will need to use its energy stores to survive and you don't want it wasting precious energy on dead or unnecessary foliage. Trimming the plant will also encourage it to grow when it gets to its new home.

Lastly, uproot the plants as close to moving day as possible to minimize the time they're out of the ground. Be sure to pack the plant with as much original soil as you can when it comes time to uproot them, as this will help the plant transition easier when you place it in foreign soil.

Plant Quickly

When you get to your new home, plant your greenery as quickly as possible. If you're not sure where the plants' permanent home will be on your new property, dig a trench, add enough water to make the dirt muddy and then place your plants and cover loosely with soil. This should be adequate until you're ready to put them in their forever home.

Despite your best efforts, you may still lose some leaves. This is perfectly normal. Just be extra gentle and attentive to the plants until they start flourishing in their new area.

For more tips or help relocating the rest of your belongings to your new home, contact a local mover like Bow Valley Moving.