A: Congratulations on waiting out the summer heat to do transplanting! Your shrubs will be much less stressed cozying into their new spot this month.
My mom recently had a neighbor come dig up a lantana that she wanted. Here’s the advice I gave them and why this is the best time of year to move woody plants around.
Most plants’ obligations are done going into the winter season. They’re not expected to grow leaves, flower, or bear fruit. In fact, deciduous trees and shrubs lose their leaves now, so they can focus their energy on root growth, or establishment for new plants.
Speaking of roots, when digging up a plant to move it, take care to get as many of the roots as you can when using that shovel! This often means digging wider out around the plant than deep. And have that new hole already dug out. That way, the plant doesn’t stay out of the ground long, which potentially exposes it to drying out or getting too hot or cold.
Though the weather is cold to us, soil temperatures cool much more slowly than air temperatures do, so conditions are just right for the plant’s roots. But for those really cold weeks, when even the soil is chilly, mulch is the best protector for your newly planted, or transplanted, shrub. Put it out two to four inches deep. It not only traps heat escaping the ground, it smothers potential weeds, and helps retain moisture from rain showers.
Finally, watering is so important. Pack that soil back around the base of the plant and water immediately. This helps thirsty roots and moves air pockets out of the dirt that was just replaced. Consistent moisture, thought of as at least an inch per week, is especially critical for new plants that are just establishing roots. Watering directly at the base of the plant is most efficient rather than watering overhead.
Watering before a freeze is a great strategy to helping a plant get through the overnight lows. Leaves and stems tend to tighten up, like we bundle up in a coat, to protect themselves from harsh winds. Then as the sun comes up and the day warms, they ‘relax’ by drawing up water from the soil back into their cells.
