How to Transplant Shrubs

If your garden has been looking a little unbalanced, one way to solve the problem is by transplanting bushes. Moving a shrub from one spot to another will balance your garden, and maybe bring one of your beautiful shrubs that has been hiding in the back into a position in the spotlight.

How to Transplant Shrubs: Pick a Spot

Before digging up the shrub, you should decide where you want to put it. Don't dig the hole yet, because you will likely change your mind a little bit, but measure the shrub where it is and measure how big that will be in the new space. You might even need to transplant another small shrub a little bit to make enough space, so if you know that needs to happen, do it first.

How to Transplant Shrubs: Dig the Shrub Up

Once you have a general idea of where the shrub is going, the next step of transplanting shrubs is to dig up the shrub. This can be quite the project, and for larger shrubs, you might need more than one person. Work on both sides and get it to the point where you can tip it away from you, get your shovel under the main network of roots, and pull it up.

How to Transplant Shrubs: Place it in the New Position

Once the bush is up, carefully carry it to where you want to put it, and set it on top of the ground there. Stand back and see if you think that will work, paying attention to the balance of shrubs and bushes in your garden or yard.

How to Transplant Shrubs: Dig a Hole

Because you are looking at exactly how big the thing you are putting in the hole is, digging a hole is an easy job. Put the dirt into a wheelbarrow or bucket so you can take it to the old location and fill in the hole where the shrub came from. Dig the hole a little bigger than it needs to be so it has a soft area for the roots to grow into.

How to Transplant Shrubs: Plant and Water

Lastly, place the shrub in the hole and stand back to make sure you like it, even picking your favorite side to face the front. Then fill in the spaces around the hole with dirt, being careful to not pack it too tightly, and keeping the bush at the same level that it was before. Then give it a good watering, and water daily for at least the next week to keep it alive during the transplant trauma.