How to Transplant Forsythia Bushes

Preparation

• 1

  Plan the transplant for the right time of year. The ideal time is very early spring before the foliage has emerged to avoid dehydration. Spring conditions are prime for growing and recovering from any transplant shock. The next best time would be in autumn when the temperatures are cooler and the sun is not strong.

• 2

  Select a new spot for your forsythia. It must be in full sun to bloom well. Any soil type will be satisfactory. To allow for future growth, find an area that is at least 10 feet in diameter. Clear the area of any vegetation and debris.

• 3

  Water the plant thoroughly the day before transplanting. This will help the roots survive the transplant. For a mature plant, set a hose near the base of the plant and let the water drip at a trickle for at least an hour on each side of the plant. For a young plant, water the root area normally, so that you supply at least 1 inch of water.

• 4

  Remove a third of the branches completely at the base of the plant with pruners, loppers or a pruning saw, depending on the thickness of the branches. Choose the oldest, thickest branches. Tie the remaining branches with a bungee cord or twine to expose the base of the plant.

Removal

• 5

  Dig a circle around the base of the plant the depth of a shovel spade. The diameter should be about four times the width of the base. For example, if the diameter of the group of stems at ground level is 6 inches wide, the circle should be 2 feet in diameter.

• 6

  Loosen the soil on the outer edge of the root area with a garden fork to remove excess soil from the root ball. This will reduce the weight and size of the root ball but not the amount of roots. Do not remove all the soil. The final root ball size should be about 1 foot in diameter on average, although the actual width depends on the size of the plant.

• 7

  Angle your shovel and loosen the root ball all the way around and under the plant, digging to a depth of 1 foot. You may have to cut some roots with hand pruners to release a root ball. Some additional soil removal may be necessary on the outside of the root ball to create a manageable size root ball.

• 8

  Lift the plant out of the hole and place it on a tarp or in a wheelbarrow for transport to its new location. It is important to keep the soil intact as much as possible. If the soil is very loose, wrap the root ball in burlap and secure it until planted.

Planting

• 9

  Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and three times as wide. Set the soil aside for backfill. If the backfill soil quality is very sandy, mix in 20 to 30 percent compost. Even though forsythia is adaptable to sandy soil types, some extra compost helps retain moisture to ensure transplant success.

• 10

  Fill the empty hole with water halfway and let it drain.

• 11

  Set the plant in the hole and make sure that it is at the same height that it was before. Adjust if necessary.

• 12

  Add the backfill soil and firm lightly as you go. Make sure there is solid root to soil contact all around the plant. The soil level should match the existing grade around the plant. Create a small berm of dirt in a circle around the root area a few inches high. This will hold in water and direct it to the roots.

• 13

  Water the plant thoroughly to the top of the berm and let it drain. Repeat. If the soil settles and is no longer level with the grade, add additional soil.

Aftercare

• 14

  Add a 2-inch layer of organic bark mulch around the root area.

• 15

  Keep the plant watered well for the remainder of the season. Usually 1 inch of water per week is sufficient, but it depends on the soil quality and the weather.