How to Transplant Trees and Shrubs

Choosing the location

First place your containers where you want the plants to grow. Step back and see how you will like it. Envision the plants full-grown, thriving in that place. Will trees shade your vegetable garden, or the roots bust up the sidewalk? Will unmanageable bushes block windows and require unsightly boxy pruning? Careful planning where trees and shrubs will go can save much work later on, provide more enjoyment in the yard, and increase property value. So look before you leap! To help conserve water, consider planting native species that naturally live in the conditions of your particular climate and soil.

Digging the hole

Once you’ve decided on what and where it will go, dig a hole twice as wide as the container and as deep as the crown of the plant (that spot where the roots and stem join). While experts differ on whether to amend the backfill dirt with something such as Planting Mix, or OSH Garden Compost, it is agreed on that you must never fill that hole up with a potting soil or other amendment. While it might seem like you are giving the plant a nice soft start, you are actually creating a weaker root structure because the roots meet no resistance as they grow. They hit the side of the hole and want to stay in their nice soft place and tend to circle around as if they were planted in a container. The first strong wind can topple the plant! So if you do add an amendment, just a shovelful or two in with the backfill please!

Planting

Gently roll the container around to loosen roots, try not to tug the plant out by the stem. Once out of the container, gently loosen tightly packed roots. This is important to encourage outward spreading of new root growth. Fill the hole half way up with water and set the plant in. Cover with backfill dirt to the crown, do not bury the crown (the exception is tomatoes which should be buried up to their first leaves). Make a pan or raised dam around plant to hold water. Cut the bottom out of the plastic container and cut it up the side to form a protective collar for the stem. This will help protect the delicate stem from weed eaters, lawnmower blades and can even help to discourage bugs from climbing up. Apply mulch around the stem and water thoroughly. Water deeply and slowly, drip irrigation if possible during growing season, and feed regularly with a good all purpose fertilizer and compost.