Introduction
If you are moving house and your plants and garden play a big role in your life and you hope to establish the same in your new place, then these tips will help you prepare your garden and outdoor space for the move. If you are renting then you will most likely be expected to return the premises in its original condition. If you are selling your home don’t forget to let the buyers know in writing that you plan on taking your plants with you or it will be taken as a breach of promise as the garden and plants are considered as the property of the buyer once the sale is through.
Whether shifting from a rental or to a new home, if that means moving your plants then it is best if you start planning this as soon as possible.
1. Prepare a checklist
A checklist is always a good idea when it comes to managing a move. It gives you and everyone involved a clear picture of the work involved and the tasks that need to be completed. If you have garden plants that you want to take with you then set down on the checklist the things that need to be done and when they should be done to prepare them. Take an inventory of all your garden and outdoor items and see which you really need to take when you move home and which items can be donated, recycled or disposed of. This will help reduce the amount of stuff you need to move to your new place.
2. Establishing a timeline
When it comes to transporting plants an established timeline is essential so as not to cause harm to your garden plants. If you have no place to keep your plants till you actually move in then you need to start preparing early. Dig them up and put them into pots so they have time to adjust before the actual time to move. Having them in pots makes it easier to move and you can let them get used to their new location before re-planting them. If not pots even large containers act perfectly as temporary housing, even for small trees and shrubs, for the duration till you move home. Be sure to keep the root ball safe during transplanting and the plant should be fine.
A timeline will be especially helpful as it will help you to start preparing your plants early, maybe during the season from October to February when plants tend to be more dormant. Do research or check with professional if the conditions of your new location will be suitable for the plants you hope to relocate.
If you are moving during summer and the plants have delicate growth you can bubble wrap them or use a cloth to preserve them during the move. Use a form of buffering between the pots to avoid damage during the journey.
3. Moving plants
Before you actual moving date you need to check the local regulations and rules of the new area you are shifting to because there can be different requirements from area to area. If there are no restrictions and you have access to your new established garden space then you can organise to transport your plants early and gently acclimatise them to the new location.
About a week before moving day cut and prune you plants and store them in a dry place. Water the soil and there after do not till after the move. Shifting plants that drip water is not advisable. Preparing your potted plants in advance also helps you detect any damaged pots, troughs or containers so that they can be replaced in time. Any delicate pots and plants can be placed in bubble wrap or straw for extra safely.
If there are certain trees or shrubs that you believe will not survive being moved then try taking plant cuttings from the parent plant. You can encourage the roots to grow. These will be easier to move as well. You can take many cuttings for a higher success rate.
4. Moving garden items
First of all wash and dry your garden items. If an item can be dismantled then do so to make transport easier. Next bubble wrap the items, so they are safe for transport and unlikely to cause harm of damage during the journey.
5. Clearing the area
Once your garden items have been prepared for transport clear your garden area so that you leave it neat and tidy for the new owners. Clear and tidy up and ensure that there are no hazardous items lying around. Dispose of your garden waste according to local area regulations so that the new tenants or owners do not have to do this.
6. Consider hiring a professional service
Moving a garden is not easy and you should consider hiring the services of professional movers. While they take care of the house clearance they can also handle clearing your garden space. They will also provide experts to ensure that your garden items are moved carefully to the transport vehicle. Basically they handle the physically demanding tasks efficiently, so they help save time while having a proper process to moving items. With their fleet of vehicles included in the price they are basically cost effective as well, while having all the necessary safety and insurance certifications.
Conclusion
Use these suggestions to minimise the stress of moving your garden ensuring that your plants are looked after no matter the distance or location they have to be transported to. Moving a garden is not a simple task but can be made more manageable and less stressful with proper preparation. Starting as early as possible you can have your garden ready for moving day. If you have access to your new garden early then you can prepare your garden beforehand but even if you don’t, it is the perfect time to have fun re-locating and enjoying your beautiful plants in a new setting.
