Moving, in general, is quite stressful, let alone when you have to move with pets or plants. While people tend to worry about the move impacting their pets, sometimes they forget that plants need special care, too. Now, packing plants for transport is not too difficult, if you follow certain rules. There are ways of packing that are best for plants, you just need to be prepared. So, here are some tips and tricks for packing plants for transport that will certainly help you move with ease!
How to prepare your plants before packing
As with most things, there are easier and there are more difficult things to do during a move. And some people may believe that packing plants for transport is one of the easier ones. However, the jury’s still out on that. It can be as difficult as packing fragile items, or it can be easy, as packing books. If you’ve moved your plants before, then you know what to do. But, if this is your first time moving plants, then it’s necessary to do the following things prior to packing. That way, you’re ensuring that your plants are safe for transport.
Repotting is a must
Why is this important? Well, many people use ceramic pots for their plants. However, they’re bulky and heavy and that will make the transport part much more difficult. You should put your plants into plastic pots. That way, you will have a much lighter pot and it will be much easier to carry it. In addition, plastic pots are more durable, making it improbable that they’ll break during transport. Simply move your plants in pots of similar size using potting soil.
You should also prune your plants
It is good to remove dead leaves and branches on your plants before the move. If you want to avoid your plants going through added stress, prune them a few weeks before relocating. This will make your plants healthier. Also, it will reduce their size, making packing plants for transport a bit easier. Just before the relocation, you should remove any pests and weed. Now your plants are ready for packing!
Additional tip before packing plants for transport
If you’re moving across state borders, check the law. Make sure that you can safely transport your plants. There are different regulations in different states and your plant might be on the forbidden list. For instance, if you’re moving to Wilmington NC from Georgia, you should look into the regulation in North Carolina. Even though the two are neighboring states, their regulations might differ. By checking, you’re making sure that you don’t unknowingly take a forbidden plant with you. Also, this way, you won’t have to pack a plant that you won’t be able to take with you anyway.
Packing plants for transport done right
Now, when it comes to plants, you may think it’s all the same. However, there is a difference and a pretty important one. If you have both small and large plants, you should definitely take that into consideration before packing them. Again, if you’re not sure that you can move a plant that is too big, try to replant it by taking a cutting. If you don’t know what to do with it, donate it to a health center, or give it to friends. And, if you take care of the cutting properly, it will surely grow to its old size in your new home.
Get the right supplies
Basically, for packing plants for transport, you should buy the usual supplies. This includes tissue paper or old bed sheets, boxes of various size, packing paper or old newspaper, and some stretch wrap. Also, you’ll need some twine or rope for the larger plants. Don’t forget to take sturdy boxes. That is, don’t buy the cheapest of the bunch. If you want to save money on boxes, you can always ask your local store for some excess boxes. They will be more than happy to give it to you if they have no use of them anymore.
Packing small plants
When it comes to small plants, they are much easier to pack than large ones. However, that doesn’t mean you can relax too much. After you’ve made sure you have the proper supplies, now it’s time to take the proper steps to finish packing plants for transport. First, take the boxes in which you will put the small pots. Line the bottom with the plastic wrap a few times. You want to make sure that there is no excess water on the bottom of the box. If there is water, your box will simply cave in and then you’ll be left with a mess.
Then, once you’ve placed the pots in the box, fill the remaining space with packing paper. Or you can use old newspapers for that. Just make sure that there is no room so that they don’t tip over. Also, if you’re closing the box, punch several holes in the box, because your plants need air.
Packing large plants
When packing plants for transport, special care should be paid to large plants. However, if you’re unsure that you can pack and transport them yourself, you should definitely consider hiring professionals. Just look locally. For instance, if you’re moving to Pittsboro, it’s best to look for movers Pittsboro NC, who will know how to handle moving your plants with ease.
But, if you’re certain that you can do it, then take special care. Make sure that you have enough room in your vehicle for large plants. There are a few ways to pack large plants. Put sphagnum moss on top of the soil in the pot. Place packing paper or old bed sheets on the leaves to reduce damage. Now, wrap the plant with stretch wrap and tie it with string. Poke a few holes in the wrap. This way, you can put the plant on its side.
If you’re moving them in a van and you want to keep them upright, put the pot in a box. Fill up the rest of the space with old newspaper or packing paper. Then, you can put some heavy books around the box to make sure it stays put. There is also the option of putting plants into wardrobe boxes. Again, you want to leave a few holes for air and circle the pot with old newspaper to prevent it from moving.
