Moving On - Transplanting Tips

This week I am moving. As a renter, I should know better than to plant things in the ground that I would want to take along with me on my next move, but alas I have found myself unable to free my grip from several fine specimens. These are just a few plants that will grow very nicely in my new garden, and I have limited myself severely.

Luckily, I am moving just as fall colour is hitting most of the forest trees in my area -- the perfect time for transplanting. The soil is still warm, which will mean that roots will still grow well, while the air is cool and humid, allowing the perfect situation for plants under duress.

Here are a few tips for transplanting trees and shrubs. I will try to follow these directions myself, so that I can share pictures of my new place with pride next spring.

PRE-MOVE CARE: Water thoroughly several days before the move. Prune any broken or interfering growth. Take care of any insect problems as far ahead of the transplanting date as possible.

PREPARING THE NEW SITE: Dig a hole a foot larger than the plant's root system. If the new location's soil drains poorly, dig the hole six inches deeper than the depth of the root system and backfill to the required depth with a soil that drains well. This should be done before moving the planting from the original site.

DIGGING: With a sharp, round-point shovel, cut a circle around the root system, severing all the roots in the top eight to ten inches. This cut should be made at the drip line. A shovel's width away from this cut, cut another circle and remove the soil between the circular slices, leaving a trench around the tree. Roll a square of burlap to the middle and place the rolled part under the center of the root ball by tipping and prying. Next, tip the other way and unroll the fabric. The plant and its root ball may be lifted by this fabric without damage.

PLANTING: Place the root system in the new hole and straighten. Dig away or fill under the root ball as needed for adjustment. Mix lime and MagAmp with the soil used to backfill next to the root system. Water several times to eliminate air pockets. This is called 'puddling in'. Feel free with the watering at this stage. As voids appear where the soil has washed in, refill with soil and rewater. Firmly stake the tree if it's over five feet tall. Use your own judgment here, but when in doubt, stake the tree. Wire (not string or rope), heavy stakes driving in to a depth of twelve to eighteen inches, and the proper wire attachment straps or hoses are signs of a tree staked correctly.

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