Ensure Your Plants Stay Healthy

Before the Move
Some plants are susceptible to shock when moving. Most house plants can survive for 7-10 days without water but they should be moist when placed in cartons.

• Prune plants to make it easier for packing and transporting. Consult a florist or nursery for instructions.
• Place your plants in a black plastic bag along with a bug/pest strip, conventional flea collar or bug powder. Close the bag and place in a cool area overnight to kill any pests on the plant or in the soil.
• Check with federal and state regulations for quarantines or other restrictions.
• Place plants in cardboard containers. Hold them in place with dampened newspaper or packing paper. To cushion the leaves, use paper with a wet paper on top to keep them moist.
• You may want to consider just taking clippings rather than the plant. If so, place them in a plastic bag with moistened paper towels around them.

Moving Day

• Set the boxes aside and clearly mark “DO NOT PACK” so they won’t be taken on the moving van by mistake.
• Close the boxes and punch air holes in the top and bottom of the boxes before loading in your car.
• Park in a shaded area in summer and sunny spot in the winter.

When You Arrive

• Do not expose the plants to too much sunlight at first; gradually let them get accustomed to more light to avoid wilting and sun scald.
• Unpack the plants as soon as you can after arriving.
• Remove plants through the bottom of the box to avoid breaking the stems.

Moving Garden Plants

• Research climate and soil of the new home.
• Gather and store seeds in an airtight container.
• Dig up bulbs during their natural dormant season. Pack a mixture of loose dry peat moss and vermiculite to provide a lightweight and protective way to transport.
• Sharpen blades of clippers, lawn mowers and shears and apply a thin coating of household or motor oil to protect paint and metal parts.
  Clean and disinfect rakes, hoes and sprinklers.

Jennifer Waszazak

REALTOR® , Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors, Inc.

1061 Lake Murray Blvd
Irmo, SC 29063
Office (803) 781-0088
Cell     (803) 553-2424
Fax     (803) 732-4517