How to Transplant Ground Cover Plants

Transplanting can involve planting a ground cover plant from a container purchased at a nursery or breaking up an existing plant. Ground cover forms an attractive addition to yard areas with steep inclines or blank spots between large shrubs. Transplanting ground cover requires evaluating the current soil conditions of the plant. Shade ground covers must be transplanted in shade and sun-loving plants should be transplanted in full or partial sun. Ground covers all have a shallow root base to allow for constant spreading and reseeding. Let's look at how to best transplant ground cover plants to allow for continued growth of a healthy plant.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Top soil (high quality, weed free) Peat moss Trowel Spade Water and hose All purpose plant fertilizer Mulch

How to Transplant Ground Cover Plants

1. Prepare the area for planting. Weeds can easily choke ground cover out so remove all weeds, if possible. Turn over the soil using the spade (or a rototiller) to create the best possible environment for your plants.

2. Examine your existing ground cover for areas that have spread beyond your desired boundaries. These bunches are your best choice for transplanting since removal will shape the existing ground cover into a more uniform shape.

3. Separate the ground cover by hand and slip the trowel into the ground cover mound. Press down into the soil to slice the roots. Remove the trowel or spade and dig around the outside edges of the ground cover. Slip the spade under the plant, gathering the low-lying root system as well as some existing dirt for transplanting.

4. Revisit your prepared garden and dig a hole commensurate to the size of the removed portion of ground cover. Make sure the hole is deep enough to allow the plant to be level with the surrounding terrain.

5. Blend peat moss into the soil in and around the hole. Peat moss helps aerate the soil and improve drainage. Peat also breaks up thick clay soils to prevent water pooling around plants.

6. Place the transplanted ground cover into the prepared hole and fill in with loose topsoil and peat moss. Press gently the your fingers around the base of the plant as much as possible to remove air pockets in the soil. Continue filling in with the soil until the roots are completely covered.

7. Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around the plant, extending out into the garden to help fledgling transplants retain moisture.

8. Water the plants thoroughly for the first few weeks to help the roots become established and fertilize once a month during the growing season to encourage new growth.

Tips & Warnings

• When purchasing ground covers, be careful to assess appropriate planting conditions. Shade loving plants requires very different conditions than a sun loving ground cover.

References

• Fine Gardening.com