Transplanting Perennials

Are you considering to transplant some of your garden
perennials? The thought about moving a favorite plant from
one spot to another might make you nervous, but don't let it
give you jitters.It's really a simple process.

Timing is key to successfully transplanting perennials.
Here's a general rule of thumb that will help you determine
the best time to transplant any perennial:

If the plant blooms in the spring, move it in the fall - early
September or later.If a plant blooms in the summer or fall,
move it in the spring.

When transplanting in the spring, start when the plant's new
growth begins to appear so you'll know where and how much to
dig. Plants that are being transplanted in the fall can be
cut back by half just prior to moving. This will make the
move easier on you and the plant.

The first step in transplanting is to prepare the site or location
for the plant. Clear the area of any weeds or grass, dig a hole
appropriate for the plant and add some compost to the soil.

Now let's go back and dig up the plant. I know, this
is the part that can be scary. Just be calm, you can do it! Start by
digging all around the plant with a sharp spade, then slip
the spade beneath the clump and lift the plant and its
rootball out of the ground.

Next, plant the perennial in its location. Always replant
your plants at the same depth they were at originally.
Refill the hole with loose soil and tamp it down a bit to
eliminate any air pockets. Then give your plant a good drink
to help it settle in, and keep the soil moist - but not soggy
- as the plant reestablishes itself. A transplanted plant may
look a bit bedraggled for awhile, but it will come back the next
season strong and happy. A treatment of root stimulator would
be a very good idea. Be sure to watch your tranplants closely, and
maintain adequate moisture until the plants shows that is
sustaining itself.

There are a few perennials that simply do not like to be moved.
Peonies and tree peonies, bleeding hearts, foxtail lilies,
butterfly weed and goatsbeard do not like to be transplanted.
Move these plants only when it is absolutely necessary. If you
must move a peony, do so in late fall after a hard freeze while
the plant is dormant.

Transplanting trees and shrubs

You have to get your transplanting done early!

Spring transplanting tips go like this. If the plant is sleeping
(dormant), then yes, it's fine to move it now. But if they plant
just woke up, lots of new growth, then no, you waited too long
and if you move it when it's all flushed out with new growth
you will seriously damage the plant and possibly kill it.

For the most part you can transplant trees and shrubs from
late fall (early winter) until early spring. During the growing
season it's risky business.


When deciduous trees and shrubs start leafing out.That signals
the end of the transplanting season.
Once they leaf out, you should not dig them or
severe their roots.

If you live in one of the warmer zones you must do your transplanting
even earlier.

You can plant trees and shrubs at just about any time of the
year once they are dug or potted. It's the digging process that
causes the damage if you do it at the wrong time of the year.

The same holds true for evergreens, but with evergreens you
can start transplanting them earlier in the fall. You do not have
to wait until they go completely dormant like you do with
deciduous plants.

Git it planted! and Watch 'er grow!

Homemade Garden Insecticides

How do you prevent your garden from being a 24-hour diner for
every insect that passes through the neighborhood? There are
any number of chemical products on the market that will kill
insects, but many gardeners are hesitant to use strong
chemicals on their plants.

There are very effective organic insecticides and repellents
available these days, and in a pinch you can make your own
natural insect repellant.

Most insects prefer a bland diet, so by making your garden
spicy you can encourage insects to dine elsewhere. A hot
pepper or garlic spray works great as a repellant and can
actually prevent insects - and even hungry rabbits - from
nibbling on your plants.

To make hot pepper spray, toss a couple of hot peppers, such
as cayennes or habaneros, in a blender with about a cup of water.
Puree the mixture, strain out any solids, then add enough water
to make a gallon of concentrated hot pepper juice.

To use the hot pepper spray, mix a quarter cup of the concentrate
with a gallon of water and a tablespoon or two of liquid soap.
The soap will help the spray stick to the plants.

To make a garlic spray, roughly chop one or two garlic bulbs,
place them in a quart jar and pour boiling water over the garlic,
enough to fill the jar. Close the jar and let it sit overnight.
Strain out the chunks of garlic and add the garlic water to your
sprayer along with a few drops of liquid soap. Leftover garlic
water can be kept frozen for later use.

A good place to buy liquid soap for this purpose would be a health
food store. Do not use a detergent or a heavily scented soap as
these can be harmful to plants. Once you've made your insect
repellant concoction, test it on a few leaves first before spraying
your plants.

The hot pepper and garlic smell will be strong when first applied
but will fade, and your flowers and vegetables won't take on their
odor or taste. The spray should be reapplied every week or two, or
after a rainfall.