How to Remove Plants From Their Flower or Plant Pots & Transfer Them to a Yard or Field
People begin plants in small containers indoors and transplant them to outdoor yards or fields for a variety of reasons. Many people give their fruit and vegetable crops a head start by planting indoors before outdoor temperatures are warm enough to sustain the seedlings. Other times plants simply become too large for their containers. Whatever your reasons for transplanting, proper planning and methods are essential to ensure your plant will survive the transplant and flourish in its new environment. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Prepare the transplant location in advance by removing rocks and adding any natural soil enhancements like compost or manure. If you plan on treating your garden with herbicide, apply at least three days before transplanting.
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Give plants plenty of water in the day or two prior to transplanting. Soaking the soil can help keep the root ball intact and minimize trauma during the transplant.
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Transplant on a cloudy, mild day in the afternoon or early evening. Dig a hole to accommodate the plant's root system before removing the plant from its original container.
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Pull gently and handle carefully when removing the plant from its container and retain as much of the original soil as possible. You can use a spade to help loosen the soil in larger containers, but be careful not to damage the roots.
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Place the transplant's root ball in the prepared hole and fill the hole with soil so that the plant's root system is completely covered but also so that it sits at the same level in the ground as it did in its container.
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In the week following the transplant, give your plants plenty of water. Provide protection from wind, harsh sun and extreme temperatures by shielding with cardboard or newspaper or covering with baskets or flowerpots.
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Tips & Warnings
Beginning seeds in biodegradable peat containers makes transplanting easier because these containers can be placed directly in the ground with the seedling.
Before you transplant, determine the proper conditions for relocating your plant outdoors. Seed packets should tell you about how long it will take for your plant to sprout so you can time your planting accordingly. Spring is when most seedling transplants take place and while specific temperature requirements vary, it is generally recommended that plants not be moved outdoors until after the last frost of the season.
References
- Photo Credit garden weeding image by MichMac from Fotolia.com
