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Now is the time to transplant
Garden Tips Newsletter - March 19, 2001

If you plan to add new trees and shrubs to your landscape, now is the time to transplant them into your landscape. Transplanting in the spring allows your plants time to send out new roots and get established before the summer heat arrives. By transplanting them now and keeping them well watered, your new plants should be able to survive the upcoming hot summer. When transplanting trees or shrubs, dig a hole that is 3-5 wider than the root ball. The hole should be dug NO deeper than the root ball. If the root ball is wrapped in burlap, try to remove as much of the burlap as possible. Burlap left exposed on top of the soil will wick out water from the root zone. Amend the soil as needed, fill in the hole, and add mulch around the plant. Plants should be watered thoroughly after planting -- daily for the first week, every 2 days for the next 4-6 weeks and once a week for the next 7-12 weeks. Make sure the soil is kept moist NOT WET.

For more information on transplanting trees and shrubs see MSU publication 965 "Transplanting Trees & Shrubs in the Landscape"

These archived newsletters were written by Dr. Lelia Scott Kelly. Kelly is a Horticulture Specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Her office is in the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Verona.