It’s bound to happen, a plant just isn’t happy in its current place. Or perhaps it’s outgrown its space. Early Spring, while plants are still dormant or asleep, is the perfect time to move them and re-arrange your garden.

Dormancy is defined as a deciduous plant that isn’t actively growing, and has no leaves or flowers.

With evergreen plants, it’s harder to tell if the plant is still dormant.  They’ll be no new bud growth, and you won’t see any buds that are starting to swell.

The first step when transplanting is to prepare the plant’s new home.

Dig a hole 2-3 times as wide as the root ball of the plant, and only as deep as the root ball is tall.  Estimate the size based on the plant you’ll be moving.

This larger width accommodates more rapid root growth and results in better success.

Once the hole’s prepared, dig up the plant you want to move.  Use a shovel to dig around the plant farther out than you think the roots are.  Push the shovel straight down into the ground, and pull the shovel away from the plant to lift it up. Work your way all the way around. If you have not encountered roots, move in a little toward the stem.

The goal is to get as large a root ball as possible that you can physically move.  But there’s no need to move soil that has no roots in it.  It’s okay to cut some of the roots, particularly when the plant is dormant.  The plant will grow new roots before it starts producing leaves or flowers.

If the plant is small, put it in a garden trug or empty pot so the roots don’t fall apart and crumble on the journey over.  If it’s large, a wheelbarrow or tarp is a better choice to move it.

Put the plant into its new hole immediately to help reduce transplant shock. Make sure the soil level is at the same level where you dug it up. Do not put any additional soil on top of the root ball.

Add Bio Tone Plant Starter around the root ball of the plant, as you’re backfilling with amended soil. Use a mix of half soil conditioner and half existing soil that you dug up.

If the plant is loose or shaky, stake it rather than piling dirt on top to steady it.

Then create a ring of soil just outside the root ball of the plant. This donut-shaped basin will capture water and allow it to slowly soak into the roots of the plants, rather than running off.

Add a two to three inch layer of mulch over the soil.  This will keep the roots cool, conserve moisture, and help prevent the new loose soil from washing away. Mulch also reduces weed growth.

Caring for your transplant is similar to a newly planted one. Water as needed throughout the entire season, until it gets established, which could be a year or more, depending on the plant.

Follow these simple steps to ensure your plant will be happy in its new home.