Transplanting

Pressing the sides of the pot.

materials

Plants to Transplant

Pots or Hole in Ground

Soil

methods

Plants that are rootbound (which can be evidenced by turning yellow and wilting), planted from seed, or purchased from a nursery will often need to be transplanted. It is not too difficult if done with care.

• Prepare the ground or pot for the plant to be transplanted. Make sure your vessel, whether that’s a pot or the ground, is going to be sufficiently large enough for the loosened roots of the transplanted plant. Soil in the bottom and around the sides should be somewhat loose.

• Turn the pot with the plant on its side and gently squish the sides of it while turning. This will break away roots from the sides of the container.

• Grasp the base of the plant with one hand and the pot with the other.

• Carefully separate the pot and the rootbound plant.

• Using your fingers (or in some cases a small garden rake if you have a very tough set of roots), tease the roots apart from the soil they’re in and each other. Work all the way in toward the center of the root ball.

• Place the plant into the ground or pot, holding it by its base at about the level it will end up being when finished.

• Gently place new soil under and around the roots of the plant. Fill in the space gently yet firmly to support the plant. Use your hands.

• Examine your work. Is the plant standing up straight? Is the crown (the place where the top of the roots meet the bottom of the stem) just at the soil surface or is it too high or too low? Make soil and plant adjustments as necessary.

• Water your plant.

  Note: It is normal for a few days for the newly transplanted plant to wilt a little due to shock. As long as you were gentle and the plant has the right amount of water this should be a temporary situation and everything will be okay!

Lesson plan by Heather Taylor, teachoutside@gmail.com. You are welcome to share all materials with credit to her.