You’ve probably spent a substantial amount of time growing and nurturing a lovely garden in your backyard. So, it’s natural to feel a little upset thinking that you might have to leave behind your plants before moving to your new home.

However, if your new home has enough space, you can take your well-kept plants with you. With lots of meticulous planning and care, you can pack and transport your plants to your new home successfully.

Moving Plants to Your New Home: Some Factors to Consider

Be it indoor or outdoor, moving plants to your new abode can be risky.

Even under the best conditions, your plants may be at risk of damage. For example, the smallest change in lighting, temperature or any other condition can take a toll on them.

However, since your plants are such a loved part of your home, the least you can do is take them with you to your new place.

It’s important to remember that there are some plants you can take and some plants you have to leave behind for the new homeowners.

Once you’ve decided on the plants you will be taking along, here are some important factors to consider when transporting your outdoor plants to a new home:

1. If you’re thinking of moving your plants during the peak summer season, think again! The exposed roots of plants are susceptible to damage from external factors. Therefore, you will need to be extra careful to ensure that the plants are watered and that the roots aren’t left bare in the sun.
2. Give your plants a good soak the night before you plan on transporting them. This will let the water seep into the roots and soil. However, do not overwater them.
3. In order to ensure that your plants are as healthy as possible, trim all dead or excess leaves and stems and water them.
4. The uprooting of the plant is the most stressful stage of the moving process. Use a trowel to dig a ring around your plant. Make sure that you go wide while digging to avoid cutting any roots. You can then easily remove the plant but try your best to keep as much soil on the roots as you can. Place the plant in a pot full of soil just as soon as you uproot it. Also, make sure to water it after placing it in the pot.

Tips for Transporting Plants to Your New Home

Here are some tips to help you safely transport your plants to your new home.

1. Pack Your Plants in Sturdy Boxes

Before the moving day, carefully pack your plants in sturdy boxes so they remain safe during the journey. This applies to both indoor and outdoor plants.

Categorize all small, medium, and large plants, and fit them in different boxes accordingly. If you’re trusting a moving company with your plants, make sure they label the boxes as “fragile.” As a rule of thumb, discuss the plants you want to take with you – both indoor and outdoor – with your moving company. This will give them enough time to make the necessary arrangements, such as creating proper space for plants in the van.

You should gently tie the long stems and branches together for added support and protection. Additionally, use some extra newspaper to fill in the gaps between small pots in the moving box to prevent them from shifting around.

2. Load Plants Last into Moving Van

Your plants should be the last item you pack and load in the moving van. Make sure that you don’t close the boxes so that your plants get ample sunlight. Large plants and heavy pots, in particular, must be secured carefully to the van. Also, no other moving boxes should be stacked on or along with the plants to prevent the risk of damage.

3. Be Mindful During Transport

When transporting plants, you cannot just leave and forget them. You will have to keep an eye on your plants, and make relevant adjustments to ensure that they are fine. Not only will your plants require contact with the sun during the journey, but they will also need comfortable temperatures.

4. Settle Your Plants In a Good Environment

Once you’ve reached your new home, unpack and keep your indoor plants in a cool and dry space away from direct sunlight. Thereafter, give them the right amount of water.

For outdoor plants, it is best if you can plan and prepare a place in the ground of your new home before you arrive. If you haven’t planned a garden, then you can dig a temporary trench to plant them until their permanent place is ready. Once you’ve dug the trench, water it properly before moving your plants. You can now place the plants in the watered hole and cover it up with fresh soil.

The Bottom Line on Moving Your Plants – It’s Tricky!

Regardless of how much care and effort you put into transporting your plants to your new home, you will need an expert by your side.

If you’re looking for someone to help you transport your plants safely to another location, Superior Movers can help you! Our moving professionals use a pickup truck and trailer and big plastic bins to ensure your plants remain safe and secure throughout the journey.

Contact us for a moving quote in San Diego.