How to Transplant an Old Virginia Creeper

Prepare a planting site or nursery container for the old Virginia creeper plant before digging it up. Dig a planting hole measuring at least 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep using a pointed shovel, or fill the bottom one-third of a 2-gallon nursery container with garden soil.

Wear long sleeves and work gloves when working with Virginia creeper plants since the leaves provoke an allergic response in many people. Tuck your shirt sleeves into the gloves to protect your wrists.

Cut back the vines severely before digging up the Virginia creeper plant. Cut the vines back to 1 foot using anvil shears. Discard the old vines in a green waste bin.

Wrap a layer of burlap around the remaining vines. Secure the burlap with string or twine.

Measure out a 1-foot radius around the plant. Dig around the 1-foot radius to a depth of 20 to 24 inches using a pointed shovel. Dig straight down on all sides of the plant.

Lift the Virginia creeper vine from the ground by prying it loose with the shovel. Have someone help you to avoid injury if the root ball feels very heavy or unwieldy.

Settle the Virginia creeper vine in the prepared planting hole or nursery container. Fill in around the root ball with soil until it is secure in its new home. Remove the burlap wrapping once the vine is transplanted.

Water the Virginia creeper vine thoroughly to at least a depth of 6 inches immediately after transplanting it. Keep the soil moistened but not soggy for the first few weeks after the transplant, then cease all supplemental water to help it get used to normal weather conditions.