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Transplanting Plants for Optimum Growth

Whether working with front or backyard plants, you might find yourself with an abundance of a certain kind that you want to move. Some plants do extremely well being moved and others will die. Therefore, it is important to understand the right way of transplanting plants so they will grow healthy and strong.

The cooler weather and fresh spring rains can add to the success of your transplanting project. If you live in a milder climate area successful transplanting can be done almost any time of the year. But in the harsher climates where there is the transition from a cold winter, mild spring, to a hot dry summer, springtime is the best.

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.

When separating the plant or digging up a whole one for transplanting, try to keep the root ball nicely packed in a small amount of soil. Whether they are front or backyard plants, have the new space properly prepared before moving the transplant. Fresh potting soil with a fair amount of nutrients will insure their survival.

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

Now, if you want to consider rock plants for transplanting, you may find that you have to move the rocks to get enough of the root so the existing and cut plant to move is not damaged. Sometimes, rock plants will wrap the root around the rock or deep underneath so you will need to make sure you can gain proper access to get enough of the root or consider some other types of front or backyard plants to transplant.

Tags: garden, gardening