Moving Plants

• Prune plants to facilitate packing. Consult a florist or a plant book for instructions.
  
  
• Research the climate and soils of your new home.
  
  
• Gather seeds and store in an airtight container.
  
  
• It’s best to dig up bulbs during their natural dormant season. Pack in a mixture of loose dry peat moss and vermiculite to provide a lightweight and protective transport medium.
  
  
• Prepare your garden tools - sharpen blades of clippers, lawn mowers and shears and apply a thin coating of household or motor oil to protect the paint and metal parts. Clean and disinfect rakes, hoes and sprinklers. Household bleach can be used to disinfect a variety of items.
  
  

• Place your plants in a black plastic bag, along with a bug/pest strip, conventional flea collar or bug powder. Close the bag and place in a cool area overnight to kill any pests on the plant or in the soil.
  
  

• Place the plants in cardboard containers. Hold them in place with dampened newspaper or packing paper. Use paper to cushion the leaves and place a final layer of wet paper on top to keep them moist. If you must leave your plants behind, then take cuttings. Put them in a plastic bag with wet paper towels around them.
  
  

• Set the boxes aside and mark "DO NOT LOAD" so they won't be taken on the moving van. Close the boxes and punch air holes in the top before loading into your car.
  
  

• Park your car in a shaded area in the summer and a sunny spot in the winter.
  
  

• Unpack the plants as soon as possible after arrival. Remove plants through the bottom of the box to avoid breaking the stems. Do not expose the plants to much sunlight at first. Let them get gradually accustomed to more light.