Container Garden Guide

Transplanting Plants for Optimum Growth

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.

In the very early spring, when plants have just barely begun to show some signs of new life, is the best time to transplant. The new plantings can get a good start while the weather is still cool and they can be watered by spring rains.

Entry Plants and Backyard Patio Plants

Remember, front and backyard plants will become dormant during the fall when the weather goes through a hard freeze. Perennials will stay dormant in the ground until spring. You want to make sure the leaves are not open and out, a sign that transplanting plants is too late. However, if there are green and swollen buds that have not changed into actual leaves, then transplanting is fine.

One of the most important tips associated with transplanting plants is to make sure you have the new location prepared before you dig the plants, shrubs, or trees up. The longer the plants are out of the ground without being replanted the more chance of them dying. Therefore, with the soil ready to receive the new front or backyard plants, you then look at the roots to make sure there are no air pockets. Instead, dig up the plants to be moved so you actually take the roots with a ball of dirt to move to the new hole.

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.

To aid in the root growth of your new transplant, prune a small amount of the roots before planting. The cut ends will be able to take in nutrients from the new soil and new roots will sprout from the cut ends produce new growth in the stem system above ground.

Transplanting Rock Plants

Most rock plants have delicate root systems. Care needs to be taken when transplanting. They are accustomed to a large amount of drainage. For the best results they need to be moved to a location with a similar drainage situation.

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