How to Take Plants to New Places

Push the blade of your shovel into the soil repeatedly to cut a circle around the plant. Follow your circle repeatedly while prying back on the handle of the shovel to extract the root structure from the ground with the dirt that supports the plant. Be careful not to cut into the roots, which could kill the plant.

Lift the plant and the root ball. Place it gently on a piece of burlap. Pull the burlap up around the plant to cover the root ball. Tie a piece of baling twine around the edges of the burlap to hold the cloth against the stalk of the plant. Cut the burlap and twine as necessary with shears.

Carry the plant to your new location. Dig a hole with your shovel in the new spot. Make the hole twice as large as the root ball. Place the sod and dirt from the excavation into your wheelbarrow and haul it to your compost heap for disposal. Remove any large rocks from the hole.

Add 2 inches of gravel to the bottom of the hole. Cover the gravel with 2 inches of sand. The gravel and sand will promote proper drainage from your plant so that it will not drown in a hard rain. Fill the hole with loose potting soil, leaving just enough room for the root ball.

Cut the baling twine holding the burlap around the root ball. Pull the burlap down and move the plant into the new hole. Fill the hole around the sides of the root ball with loose potting soil. Water your plant daily while checking it for signs of shock or damage. Feed your plant after a week with liquid fertilizer.