Thinking about moving to a new house? Are you perhaps thinking that plants are easy to transport? The truth is, plants need to be prepped and planned for transportation way before the moving date, as they are living, breathing organisms that will either thrive or wither in your new garden or house.
Here is everything you need to know in order to successfully move your plants.
Can you move them all?
Do you need to move every single plant to your new house or are there pieces you can leave behind? Plants that have stopped growing or have been damaged can be nurtured back to full health, but rarely will they benefit from a change of environment, so it would be best to leave them behind. Make a list of the plants you’re going to move and plan ahead where you’re going to put them in your new home.
Ready the terrain
Plants are not furniture. You can’t simply transport them and unload them anywhere in the house – you need to prepare the terrain for their arrival. Different plants require different amounts of light, water and different types of soil, and if you’re planning on putting them in your backyard you need to test the earth for structure and acidity.
If your old house has soil beds for different types of plants, you will need to transport them beforehand, and also carefully plan where you’re going to put them around the house. A common mistake is simply putting the plants anywhere you like, when you should be checking if the plant has enough light or shade in that particular spot.
Prepare them in advance
Plants can be affected by debris, foliage, pests and what is known as carrying disease, which can stress out the plant and possibly make it wither. Be sure to clean the plants of any unwanted elements and remove any pests. Spray the plants against pests and vermin to make sure they are protected. If you don’t want to spray your plants, you can clean them of pests and cover them during the night with a plastic bag tightened by a pest strip.
Box the plants
Cardboard boxes are suitable for plants, and you can put damp paper or Styrofoam inside to hold them in place. A cardboard box will allow your plants to breathe while providing ample protection, and if needed, punch some holes in it for added oxygen circulation.
Before you close the boxes on your moving day, make sure you give your plants a final spray with water – this will keep them fresh and sated until you unbox them again.
The move
Clearly mark the boxes so that the movers know they should be handled with care. Professional movers will know how to handle every box, but it won’t hurt to emphasize. For instance, these removalists from Brisbane will deliver the boxes that best suit your needs to your location, let you pack at your own pace, and pick up and deliver your boxes to your new location for you to unpack.
When the plants arrive at your destination, you should take care of them immediately. First take care of those that need to be planted, heading straight for the garden, where you can quickly (but carefully) plant them and give them some water. After that, take the plants in pots to their new spots.
Moving the plants can be tricky business, especially if they are fragile. With these tips, you can implement all of the necessary precautions to ensure your plants don’t get sick and that they thrive in their new home.