Ann Smith
Broker


Platinum Award Recipient

519.697.3544
519.433.4331
1.866.851.1534
Fax: 519.433.6894
Email: ansmith@sympatico.ca

Click to
Search MLS Listings
 

Moving 101
Best Practices for Your Plants – Know Which You Can Take With You & How to Move Them

By Ann Smith

Plants help to make a house a home. But they require special attention when moving – both from a legal standpoint and for survival.

All Plants

• Check with customs when moving plants from the United States into Canada and vice versa. (Did you know that potted fruit trees from California are not allowed in Canada?)

• Due to their fragile nature, many moving companies will not cover moving plants, let alone putting them on the truck. Know the rules for your moving company...don’t assume.

• Water the plants a few days before moving. Don’t wait until the last minute as they’ll be heavier to carry and create a mud mess if they tip.

• Ensure plants are packaged well. Try plastic bag-lined cardboard boxes and surround with Styrofoam cushioning to prevent shifting and tipping.

• Place taller plants on the floor of your car.

• If plants must sit in the car overnight – keep an eye on the weather. Some plants, especially houseplants, will not survive cold temperatures.

• If you have re-potted plants into plastic containers for moving, many may need a few weeks to adjust to changed conditions.

Outdoor Plants

• Know that existing landscaping is considered to be included in the purchase price of a home, especially if was an integral part of your property description. You may need to:

                  a. Stipulate in the contract what will or will not be staying with the house.
                  b. Consider taking cuttings instead, and store in a capped floral tube.

• Planting conditions (soil, air quality, and climate) can differ from region to region. It makes no sense to take plants that grow in clay to a garden that has sandy soil.

• Be careful of transplanting unwanted pests, such as slugs or aphids to a pest-free neighbourhood. While it looks like there are no pests on the plant, the dirt you take with you may house a multitude of eggs and larva ready to hatch.

• To help plants adjust, be sure to get as much of the mass root system as possible. Shake off the dirt to help eliminate transferring additional weight and any hidden pests.

• At your new home, you may want to “bank” the plants (plant them in a temporary spot), either in an existing garden plot or a new well-worked plot. If you cannot plant them right away, be sure to store your plants in a cool dark place – do not let them dry out.

Back to Archive

Your Real Estate Consultant…For Life!