Whether you start your plants from seeds indoors or buy them at the nursery, moving them from their containers into your garden is an important step. Transplanting successfully gives your plants the best chance of success.
Plants often struggle when they’re transplanted, and a few tips can help you make it easier on them.
Dig the Hole
Digging a hole for transplanting plants can seem like an easy and straightforward task. It is however one of the most important steps in the process.
Bare-root trees, shrubs and vines require holes that are at least two or three times wider than their root ball. Balled and burlapped plants need wider planting holes as well.
The planting hole should never be deeper than the top of the root ball. This ensures the first order roots are close to the soil surface and encourages them to grow downward into the planting hole for uptake of nutrients.
A planting hole that is too shallow will allow surface water to collect, smothering and killing the roots. The best way to avoid this is to make sure the planting hole is dug properly and that the top 1-2 inches of the root ball stand above the surrounding grade.
It is also a good idea to aerate the hole before filling it with soil, as this will help loosen the soil and encourage more roots to grow. This process will also help eliminate any rocks or building materials that may have been buried during construction.
Loosen the Roots
Loosening the roots is a critical step for plants that are pot bound. When a plant’s roots are tangled, they become a tight ball of soil that prevents it from spreading out in all directions to absorb water and nutrients.
It can seem a little harsh to free up the roots, but it will promote healthy growth for the plant. You can do this by teasing them apart with your fingers or by making a few cuts around the base of the root ball using a sharp knife or pruning shears.
If the plant has a thick tangle of roots, you may need to cut away about the bottom third of the root ball. This will disrupt circular root growth and encourage fresh feeder roots to emerge.
Teasing apart the roots will help establish a strong foundation for a new plant. It’s also helpful for gardeners who are trying to move a plant that has been growing in a container for many months, as it will provide the plant with a chance to establish its roots before putting it into the ground.
Fill the Hole
When transplanting plants, it is crucial to fill the hole with soil and not just water. This will help to avoid the common problem of dry roots when a plant is planted into a drier soil environment.
Once you have the proper soil level in the hole, you can begin transferring the plant into the new spot. Choose a location that is appropriate for the plant’s needs for light and water.
Dig the hole two to three times as wide as the plant’s rootball or pot. This will make it easier for the roots to take hold and prevent shock from the move.
Next, gently pat the soil around the root ball to close any air pockets. This will keep the soil from squishing out all of the oxygen that the roots need.
Water
Transplanting plants is a great way to get fresh new life into your garden. The key is to ensure that the plant is well hydrated before transplanting and that its root ball is covered with soil.
Watering is very important for all plants, but the amount of water a plant needs depends on its age and the weather conditions. Young plants need more water compared to mature and larger plants.
During the first week, transplanting plants will need to be watered daily. Once the plant has grown into its new home and has established its root system, watering may be less often.
To ensure that your transplanting plants are nourished, a healthy planting mix can be used. It should be rich in a wide range of nutrients and contain bone meal to encourage root growth.