Any plant lover knows that keeping houseplants alive requires some effort. It goes beyond just regularly watering them. So it is understandable if you feel anxious for relocating long distance your plans with the rest of your household. Even the sturdy specimens are becoming fragile when you are moving and they require special treatment and preparation to arrive at your new destination without damages. Preparing your plants for the move is a crucial step. That’s why this guide is here – to show you tips and tricks for ensuring the safe transport of your plants.
Before you start preparing your plants for the move, establish is their relocation even a possibility
If you’re enlisting the professional packing services NJ has to offer, your plants will need your gentle touch. Think about them earlier in the moving process, and down leave them for last. While it might don’t seem like it, moving plants actually requires some planning and even a bit of research.
First of all – check state laws. When you’re moving your home across the state borders, relocating your houseplants might not be the possibility. In order to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, some state prohibits the import of certain plants. Others may request the certificate of inspection for your plants.
Either way, before you start preparing your plants for the move, make sure to check out the plant protection laws and regulations.
Preparing your plants for the move
If state laws permit you to move plants to your new home, it’s time to prepare them. This is crucial if you’re moving long-distance. Also, be aware that leaving your greenery in storage NJ is not an option, so make your moving plans accordingly.
Your plants have to be in great shape in order to survive the bumpy long road. Take a look at how to care for them, before you learn how to move them.
Water accordingly
It is important not to over-water your plants before the move. If you do, they will be heavier and there is a risk they will drip water. On the other hand, you don’t want to under-water your plants since they can willow. The best course of action will be to water them a couple of days before your move.
If you’re moving in summer, water your plants closer to the move. Opposite for the winter relocation.
Prune dead leaves
While pruning is good practice in general, it is especially important when you’re preparing for relocation. Besides making your plants look good, pruning spans promotes healthy plant growth. Since moving plants can result in some damage, it’s key that they’re in the best shape possible when the moving day arrived.
Removing insects is one of the most important parts of preparing your plants for the move
It is crucial to ensure that your plants are bug-free before moving them into your new home. It will keep them healthy during transport, and also increase their chance of survival. Better yet, your new home won’t be infested by the insects living in the soil of the plant’s pots.
Repot in plastic
Moving plants in plastic flowerpot will make them easier to carry. Also, it prevents the potential breakage of ceramic pots. If you are frowning upon a plastic, search for other eco-friendly solutions. Whichever material you end up choosing, you should give your plants time to adjust. To make sure of that, repot your plants a few weeks before your move.
Movers might refuse to relocate your plants
Even if you’re hiring one of the best moving companies NJ can offer, you have to be aware of the fact that your movers maybe aren’t able to relocate your plants. There is a list of things that moving experts can’t move. Some of them are determined by the laws, while others are the decision of the company itself.
While the state legislation allows you to bring your plants with you, the moving company policy maybe doesn’t allow transportation of such items. In fact, most of the movers don’t relocate plants. It is simply because they can break easily or tip over. The soil can cause damages to other things, and the moving company will be responsible. The movers just don’t want that kind of liability on their hands.
Which is perfectly understandable, but it makes your job a bit harder. Anyway, hiring a professional moving company will certainly be beneficial. While they are moving all the other things in your home, you can focus on preparing your plants for the move and transport them safely.
What to do if you can’t take your plants with you?
In the case that legislation forbids you from bringing your plants with you, there’s no need to simply throw them away.
Use one of the few alternate options:
- Give your plants to friends or family – Surely there’s someone in your surroundings with a green thumb. Reach out to friends and family to see if anyone is interested in some new greenery in their lives. If there aren’t any takers, offer up your plants on one of your social media accounts.
- Online – Since there’s a website for everything, there are also ones where you can donate and swap plants, like org. Just open your account and you list your plants with an “available for free” label.
- Contact local facilities and donate – A local school, library, municipal building, or nursing facility will probably be happy with your plant donation.
While it will be sad to say goodbye to your precious greenery, take comfort in the fact that they will bring joy and happiness to others. All your hard work keeping them alive will certainly won’t be wasted.