Lemon Drop Plant Transplanting

Preparing the Site

• Get ready to transplant by preparing the new site in an area that gets full sun or full morning sun and part afternoon shade. Dig a 3 to 6-inch-deep layer of compost or seasoned manure into the top 12 inches of soil. To boost nutrients, add add a granular 10-10-10 fertilizer at a rate of 2 pounds for every 100 sq ft of garden bed. Soil amendments are only necessary in areas that haven't been planted before or in sites with poor soil. If other perennials are already growing well in the area, skip the soil amendment process.

Digging and Transplanting

• To dig out a lemon drop plant, place a shovel on the soil 5 inches from the base. Slide it into the soil under the root ball and pull back, lifting the plant from the soil. Dig the new hole to the same depth as the root ball so that when you plant, the base of the stalks are level with the soil line. Place the root ball in the hole and backfill the area. Watering right after planting is important to settle the soil and minimize transplant shock. Soak the area to the bottom of the planting hole and follow up with additional water when the top one to two inches of soil feel dry.

Fall and Spring Transplanting

• Fall is the best time to transplant perennials like the lemon drop plant. By fall, the weather is cool and the plants have the whole winter to establish strong roots before the spring growing season. Wait until the flowers die back at the end of the summer and cut back the top half of the growth with sharp pruning shears. In frost-prone areas, spread a 4 to 6-inch deep layer of mulch over the soil to insulate the roots during winter. If you miss the fall transplanting, you can move lemon drop plants in early spring. Wait until the ground thaws and is workable, but move the plants before new growth starts.

Summer Transplanting

• Sometimes plants need to move, no matter what the season. When transplanting lemon drop plants in summer, wait for a cool overcast day, or better yet, a week that promises cool weather. Transplant in the morning or evening when the weather is cool to reduce stress on the plant. After transplanting, water whenever the soil starts to feel dry through the growing season. Transplanting disrupts the root system, making it harder for the plants to absorb water until the roots regrow. In hot weather, post-transplant watering is critical.