Tough Tows – Plants and Trees

Hey Victoria, looking to keep your houseplants healthy during your upcoming move? Or are you thinking of transplanting a rosebush from your yard to your new place? With our city’s floral reputation, you’re probably not alone in this venture. Moving plants can be tough if you don’t know what you’re doing. What’s more, larger houseplants are often heavy when combined with the weight of their ceramic potting. And if they aren’t heavy, they’re likely awkwardly shaped, and fit poorly into the back of a moving truck.

Getting Started

If you’re interested in replanting some of your garden foliage, you should start by deciding which ones are worth taking. Mark the ones that you want with electrical tape a couple weeks before your move-out date. Do this to save yourself time when preparing them in advance. When it comes to your houseplants, ask yourself if there’s a chance that the plant won’t survive the moving process. Moreover, ask yourself if the plant is worth the hassle and couldn’t be easily replaced at your new home.

Prepare the Plants

Clear out any dead leaves or branches that might otherwise leave the plant stressed with extra weight. Try to keep larger plants or shrubs sparsely pruned of deadheads for better packing. Alternately, you should keep shrubs compact and bushy. A plant with less foliage will have an easier time staying alive in transit.

Be careful not to overburden yourself by taking something that is too big. Remember that you can always take a clipping of a plant and wrap it in wet moss and newspaper. Then, after enclosing the wrappings in a resealable bag, place the package in an old milk carton. Fill the empty space in the carton with more newspaper. They should be able to survive for two or three days in this state.

From Garden to Garden

Transplanting trees and large shrubs like rhododendrons will require a great deal of planning and work before your move-out date. It’s a good idea to get professional advice if possible. After digging up the roots, you’ll have to wrap the root ball in cloth to keep the soil intact. For the time being, place the plant in a shaded area of the garden and moisten it other day. Move with care; try not to move it too much from the time it’s dug out of the ground to the moment it is loaded on the moving truck. Consult your local greenhouse/gardener to find out the specific needs your plant might need in the moving process.

Be Careful Not to Transport Pests

Look for pests and weeds at least one week before your move-out date. It’s important that your plants are bug-free when you’re relocating plants. An infestation can easily spread to your new yard, leaving you with a garden of problems. This is even more imperative for those looking to relocate to the mainland or across borders. Invasive species of weeds can upset ecosystems if you’re not careful about what you replant.

Use pesticides and pull weeds to remove any threats that might be plaguing your plants. You can also place the entire plant and container into an opaque plastic bag with a flea collar or pest strip. Leave overnight and remove the plastic bag the next morning.

Packing Your Plants for Moving Day

For larger packages consider tying down the branches if you’re able to do so without damaging the plant. While it’s not necessary to box up your larger potted plants, make sure that smaller flowers and succulents are secure. Soda/Beer flats are a great means of packaging if you’re only moving an hour away. Just make sure there’s no risk that things will fall on top of them. Otherwise, a hole-punched cardboard box stuffed with dampened newspaper will keep the plants in a healthy atmosphere.

We Can Help!

When it comes to moving plants, some movers simply don’t have the expertise necessary to keeping things alive. This is even more important if you’re going the distance and crossing a provincial or national border. Here at Hendra, our professionals are provided with the tools and know-how necessary to keeping your trees green and your flowers pretty. And if you’re new place is out of town, our partners at Allied Van Lines can provide you with climate controlled transportation so your plants don’t cook on the open road. Request an estimate today to see your old shrubs at your new house.