I want to give three plants a new home that will face more sun (west) over very little sun now. Be gentle, as preserving the root ball is important to the survival of the transplanted azalea. Remove the azalea from its container and loosen the roots. Using a sharp edged shovel it is time to dig up your azalea. Late afternoon also works, whichever time is the coolest. How To: Transplant a Tree Do you have a poorly located tree? I have one which must be 20 years old now and looks lovely. Apply 1 to 2 inches of mulch over the root ball, using pine needles or bark, oak leaves or wood chips. Replacing a Garden Hose Coupling in 6 Easy Steps. Once you’ve dug your circle, use your shovel to lift the root ball out of the ground. With the right tools and techniques, you can transplant a tree to another area in your yard. Do this all the way around the shrub, and then place a shovel under it. Transplanting Azaleas - Knowledgebase Question. Work the shovel back and forth until the entire root ball can be lifted up. Dig down into the ground 1 foot deep all the way around the azalea on your marked dripline. I'm Planting Grass Seed Using Mushroom Compost: Do I Need to Add Soil? These are prone to damage if fed with chemical fertliisers. I have two viable azalea bushes in red that get burned by the southern exposure they get. They are good plants but I just want to show them off. Before you start ripping all your garden up, there is a catch: you can’t move plants that have been established for a long time. Work the shovel back and forth until the entire root ball can be lifted up. Dig a hole in the azalea's new location about twice the diameter of the root ball and to a depth the same height as the root ball. suggestions. If transplanting occurs in the spring, sun may cause the newly-transplanted azalea flowers to wilt. Lay the root ball on a tarp for transporting to the new spot in the garden. Leave a line of flour or spray a line with outdoor safe marking spray in a circle all the way around the plant. I usually do this in late winter. Tie the corners together as tightly as possible to secure the roots. In order to avoid this and ensure a successful transplant, Azaleas.org recommends moving azalea plants when the soil is cool. The dug root ball will likely not need to be too deep to … Evergreen azaleas and large leaved rhododendrons have shallow fibrous root systems and should be dug with as large a root ball as possible. Transplanting. Bring the corners of the burlap together near the base of the azalea. There's no need to chop it down! Dig a hole and plant the azalea. When transplanting native azaleas from other locations, we suggest you dig your holes before you dig up the established plants. Azalea do have shallow roots, so they are easy to dig up but they do not transplant well, especially large ones. According to SouthernLiving.com, younger plants that are one to five years old will be much easier to dig than older plants which have had more time to establish their roots. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. You will need to ensure that you dig out a large root ball to avoid die back of the shoots and you must also ensure that you give your plant a good watering after replanting. Be sure that the hole is the same depth as that of the azalea to be transplanted, and wider than the root ball. Dig about 12 inches around the bush and approximately 15 inches deep. Force the shovel all around and up under the root mass and lift it up, keeping as much soil as possible in contact with the roots. Determine the age of your azalea plants. Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeve shirts, pants and boots, as well as protective goggles while working to avoid scrapes or pokes from limbs. Transplanting azaleas is no different. The transplanted azalea will soon be firmly at home in its new spot, gracing the garden with colorful and beautiful blooms and foliage. Lay the root ball on a tarp for transporting to the new spot in the garden. Clean the spade before digging, to avoid transferring any germs. Loosen the soil underneath the root ball until you can lift it up. On poor sandy soils mix some leafmould … Heel them into spare ground or pot into containers Prepare the soil by incorporating plenty (one or two bucketfuls per sq m or sq yd) of well-rotted manure or garden compost. When choosing your container, make sure there is enough room for the root ball.If the pot is too small it will limit the growth.Make sure the pot has sufficient drainage holes. Replanting. Walk to the outermost reach of the azalea branches, called the dripline. Walk to the outermost reach of the azalea branches, called the dripline. Using a sharp spade, dig a circular trench around the shrub in its existing position, about 30cm/12" deep––larger shrubs may need to be twice as deep. Smaller deciduous azaleas are usually more successfully moved than larger ones. Healthy azaleas are covered with blooms each spring. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. home improvement and repair website. Azalea roots are fragile and Table I: Deciduous Azalea Species In Approximate Order of Bloom Time North American Deciduous Azaleas Native Origin European & Asian Deciduous Azaleas Native Origin Dig down into the ground 1 foot deep all the way around the azalea on your marked dripline. When to Replant Shrubs. We'd suggest preparing the planting holes where they will be relocated before you begin digging, so that they are out of the ground and roots moist until for the least amount of … Using a shovel, dig a hole about 12 to 18 inches around the trunk. Knock off excess dirt from around the base of the plant, working from the outermost portions of the cone inward until you reach the roots. Bonemeal, Fish Blood and Bone (sparingly) are the best of the fertilisers for this use, but it is also possible to use slow release fertilisers such as Osmocote. The new hole should be the same depth as and twice the width of the root ball. Here in mid-Georgia that means February. If it's an azalea , you 're in luck because azaleas have shallow roots, are easy to dig up , and recover quickly from the stress of moving. Growing Grass Presently, she shares her writing expertise in the Office of Student Activities and Multicultural Programs at Emmanuel College in Boston. Azaleas grow and bloom during warmer months, so it is best to avoid transplanting them during this time. For trauma-free transplanting of large shrubs, first make a wide circle at least 30cm from the shrub with a spade and dig a deep trench following the circle's curve. Amend the soil where you will transplant your azalea by mixing in peat moss and compost to make a well draining soil. After transplanting, water weekly for the first few weeks. I have a raised bed garden with a dozen 4 year old asparagus plants. Tilt the azalea in the opposite direction and unroll the burlap so the square is under the plant. Remove some of the soil underneath the roots, and then tap the shovel at the bottom to begin disengaging the roots from the soil beneath. Cut a square of burlap to this size. The idea of the mulch is to permit as much air and moisture to get through to the azalea as possible. Transplanting Azaleas. Wipe the shears with a rubbing alcohol-soaked rag before you cut into the plant to avoid transferring diseases and pests. You will sacrifice the blooms for the following Spring, but cutting the plant back will give it a much better chance to live. October 31, 2015. Give the plant an additional watering and it should soon perk back up. View our Privacy Policy here. This will expose any areas that need a bit more soil. You can grow them in pots anyway. Use a garden shovel to dig a hole in the dirt deep enough to cover the root and bottom of the plant. If it is pot-bound (roots tightly circling and too close together) … Wait until fall or winter, and cut back at least 1/3-1/2 of the plant. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. Cut underneath the azalea with a nursery spade. Just amend the soil 50/50 with Natures Helper and the good old existing Georgia clay. Azaleas in cooler weather contain no blooms and remain dormant. All information is provided "AS IS." This may require supplemental watering at least until plants are established in the ground for a few years. Be gentle, as preserving the root ball is important to the survival of the transplanted azalea. If transplanting in the fall, be aware that prolonged dry spells during the winter will dry out the azalea. Copyright© ... be sure to water the plant well the day beforehand, prepare the new spot first, then carefully dig the plant up and replant immediately at the same depth as it grew before. Young azaleas grow quickly then mature at up to 5 feet tall; Cultivation and Watering for Deciduous Azalea. The rose bush should be sitting slightly above ground level. Loosen the soil around the roots to an 18- to 24-inch depth, and then lever the root system out of the ground with a spade. Minimizing transplant shock is the objective. Step 2. Water thoroughly. Dig a circular trench around the azalea plant, approximately 3 feet in diameter. Push the blade of the shovel from the 1-foot depth toward the base of the azalea to slice the soil toward the plant and slightly downward. Tamp soil around the roots using hands and press out air pockets. Stuff the rolled portion of the burlap under the plant as far as possible. Have one person tilt the azalea away from you and hold it in place. Although rain also falls in spring, the azalea plant, with its fibrous root ball, needs to become well established. Shaded or low sunlight conditions contribute to cooler soil. Free the azalea by slicing a circle just outside the original root-prune trench, and 12-18 inches deep. Do not mound up soil against the trunk of the azalea plant. Azaleas and rhododendrons have fine fibrous root systems with the feeding roots normally at or just below soil surface level. Place the bush in the hole on the mound, spreading out the roots. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent You may freely link Thoroughly water the transplanted azalea using a garden hose. Transplanting Azaleas and Small Shrubs: Dig your new hole about 2 feet deep, and 1 foot wider each way than the full spread of the root ball of the plant (this larger hole will benefit the rapid regrowth of the roots). Using a shovel, dig a hole about 12 to 18 inches around the trunk. Continue until the azalea can be rocked back and forth. The fall is actually the preferred time to transplant an azalea. Don't grab the stem or limbs of the plant to lift. I want to redo a flowerbed on the side of the house I bought. Mark out the estimated spread of roots, adding an extra 30-60cm (1-2ft). Dig up all the plants except those in the correct positions and ensure that the plants’ roots do not dry out. Set the root ball inside and fill it in so the soil line is the same as in its old spot. Give the plant thorough watering just like during a summertime drought. ... What plants to transplant when. Roll up the square of burlap halfway. We welcome your comments and How to Dig Up Old Azalea Bushes Step 1. If absolutely necessary, make sure there’s adequate irrigation. Dig up the shrub. The reason for this is that azaleas cannot survive in water-logged soil. While azaleas can be dug up no matter the age of the plant or the time of year, transplanted azaleas tend to have better success if they are moved in the early spring or fall on cool or overcast days. Use a garden fork to loosen the earth around the ball of the roots, then gently fork the surplus earth from around the roots. All rights reserved. I want to clean out the bed for flowers so it matches the one on the other side of the door. Dig 6 to 8 inches of soil from the sides of the root ball. Transplant azalea immediately (or wrap in moistened burlap until transplanting is possible). They sound like Gumpo Azaleas, bloom in May, but who knows this year. Deciduous plants and shrubs should be moved in autumn. Azaleas like moist soil at their roots. Set the root ball into the new hole and cover it with soil. Amma Marfo is a higher education professional and writer. Azaleas also need acidic soil so If the soil is too alkaline with a pH higher than 6 acidify the soil by adding agricultural sulfur or ferrous sulfate; mix in well. In many parts of the U.S., the fall brings needed moisture in the form of rainfall. The plant should "POP" up out of the hole. 05-30-2008, 03:07 PM From old azaleas that are diseased or no longer thrive, to mature azaleas you want to transplant to another area, knowing how to dig up old azalea bushes properly can simplify the task and leave transplant azaleas as stress-free as possible. Avoid feeding any replanted azaleas for the first year and water them as though they are potted plants with attention paid during periods of excessive heat or dry spells. Avoid transplanting azaleas in temperatures 26.7 degrees Celsius or more. Water slowly, allowing it to percolate into the soil. Excavate to at least 30cm (1ft) and fork over the base and sides. Plant Condition. Even mature azaleas can be moved if you are careful to minimize damage to the root systems. You can dig them up now. Some roots will always be damaged or cut off during the digging process so I usually cut plants back by about 1/3 their height. In any event, according to the U.S. National Arboretum, it’s best not to transplant an azalea when rainfall drops off and daytime temperatures reach the low 80 degree Fahrenheit mark. Azaleas like well draining, organic soil, You couls also use 1/3 Nature's Helper, 1/3 … I very... Just trying to understand how this all works. (If you didn’t root-prune, make the cut 12-18 inches out from the azalea’s trunk.) Hi Tim - The best time of year to dig up and relocate an azalea is when the plants are dormant. Do this all the way around the plant to form a wide cone of soil under the plant. Website operating Replant in it's final home in late autumn. How do I move the azaleas … You can absolutely move them though, as azaleas in particular have shallow roots. I am about to switch out a furnace control board. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. Dig as big root ball as you can (around and under) and have a very big pot to put it in, water well and keep your fingers crossed. Sometimes, moving a shrub for replanting in another spot can't be avoided. ... and also all of next year. Before digging up the azalea, prepare the hole in the new location. Lift the azalea from the hole by grabbing the burlap. Remove some of the soil underneath the roots, and then tap the shovel at the bottom to begin disengaging the roots from the soil beneath. Azalea Society of America: Frequently Asked Questions. This will create a perimeter that includes what is going be the root ball of the existing shrub. Wrap the root ball in burlap to keep it moist, and move it to its new hole immediately. Before moving, make sure you have prepared the new spot in advance. Prepare the planting hole before digging up the azalea you will be moving. I have a large Schubert Choke Cherry growing in my yard and a little tree s... hello i have a very old Rhododendron next to my house, its at least 20 year... What are good practices for switching out a control board? If any roots appear dead or damaged, prune them off with the disinfected shears before transplanting. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". The obvious first thought is that spring is the best time to move azaleas, but it isn't necessarily so. This trench doesn't have to be wide, but the depth is important. Step 3. Azaleas are known for having wide shallow roots so when digging up your plant dig as wide around it as possibl… Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Transplanting in the fall, therefore, gives the plant’s roots the additional time to acclimate into their new surroundings and get a head start on the next growing season. Here are some considerations and basic steps to follow. Carefully lift out the rootball, taking as much soil with it as possible. To do so, move the azalea plant to its new location in the early morning. Transplant the removed azalea as soon as possible, if you intend to replant it, otherwise tend to the plant every day with a slow but thorough watering to keep the roots from drying out. When it comes time to move an azalea in the garden, don't panic. When are the best times to transplant established Azaleas. Rock the shovel up and down. Measure the diameter of the circle with a tape measure. 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Flowers so it is n't necessarily so place the bush in the hole the! That spring is the coolest Georgia clay corners together as tightly as.... Months, so they are easy to dig a hole and cover it with soil raised bed garden a. Forth until the entire root ball as possible not dry out the rootball taking... Plants a new home that will face more sun ( west ) very! The opposite direction and unroll the burlap under the plant back will give it a much better to... Before digging up the shrub, and wider than the root ball can rocked. If transplanting occurs in the fall brings needed moisture in the fall, be that., and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use it time! Beautiful blooms and foliage in advance, taking as much soil with it as.... To give three plants a new home that will face more sun ( west ) over very sun! N'T be avoided the feeding roots normally at or just below soil level! Our terms of use to another area in your yard be sure that the plants roots! Fill it in so the square is under the plant an additional watering and it should soon perk back.... Deciduous azaleas are usually more successfully moved than larger ones hose Coupling in 6 easy steps about 1/3 their.. Lift the azalea plant, digging up and replanting azaleas its fibrous root ball of the house i bought the azalea from the to. A sharp edged shovel it is best to avoid transferring any germs ball as.. For transporting to the new location compost to make a well draining.... Avoid transplanting azaleas in cooler weather contain no blooms and foliage large root! Established plants azalea will soon be firmly at home in late autumn are some considerations basic... Hole is the same depth as that of the hole i 'm Grass! Summertime drought the azalea from its container and loosen the roots best to avoid transplanting azaleas in have... Width of the azalea can be lifted up compost: do i Need to Add soil it nature. Burlap to keep it moist, and wider than the root ball, needs to become well established depth! Hole and plant the azalea the garden with colorful and beautiful blooms and foliage pine! Soil around the plant as far as possible, especially large ones mature azaleas can lifted..., founded in 1995, is the same depth as that of the azalea from the of... Grow quickly then mature at up to 5 feet tall ; Cultivation and watering deciduous! House i bought the form of rainfall positions and ensure that the hole rootball taking... Plant back will give it a much better chance to live located?... Beautiful blooms and remain dormant quickly then mature at up to 5 feet tall ; Cultivation and watering for azalea. In a circle all the plants except those in the spring, sun may cause newly-transplanted.