Want to move some of your spreading plants to a new spot? Learning how to transplant ground cover is a simple way to fill in bare areas, share with friends, or control its growth. This guide gives you clear, step-by-step instructions to ensure your plants thrive in their new home.
Transplanting isn’t hard, but timing and technique matter. With a little preparation, you can successfully move patches of creeping thyme, sedum, vinca, pachysandra, or any other spreading plant. Let’s get your garden looking full and beautiful.
How To Transplant Ground Cover
The core process involves lifting healthy pieces and giving them a good start elsewhere. Doing this correctly prevents shock and encourages quick rooting.
When is the Best Time to Transplant?
Choosing the right moment is the first step to success. The ideal time is during the plant’s dormant or cool-growth periods.
- Early Spring: This is often the best time. The soil is workable, temperatures are mild, and plants have the whole growing season to establish.
- Early Fall: Another excellent window. Cooler air reduces stress on the plants, while warm soil promotes root growth before winter.
- Avoid Summer: The heat and intense sun put too much strain on newly moved plants. They can wilt and struggle to recover.
- Avoid Winter: Frozen soil makes digging impossible, and plants are fully dormant, unable to root.
An overcast day is perfect for the task. If you must transplant on a sunny day, do it in the late afternoon.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Gathering your supplies beforehand makes the job smooth and easy. You likely have most of these already.
- Sharp spade or garden shovel
- Hand trowel
- Garden knife or old kitchen knife
- Watering can or hose with a gentle spray nozzle
- Compost or aged manure
- Mulch (like shredded bark or straw)
- A bucket or wheelbarrow for transporting divisions
Preparing the New Planting Site
Always prepare the new home before you dig up your plants. This minimizes the time roots are exposed to air.
- Clear the Area: Remove any weeds, grass, rocks, or debris from the planting site.
- Loosen the Soil: Use your shovel to turn the soil to a depth of about 6-8 inches. Break up large clumps.
- Amend the Soil: Mix in a 2-3 inch layer of compost or aged manure. This improves drainage and provides nutrients. Ground covers aren’t usually picky, but good soil helps them spread faster.
- Water the Bed: Give the prepared area a thorough watering. Let it drain while you collect your ground cover pieces.
Step-by-Step Transplanting Process
Now for the main event. Follow these steps carefully for the best results.
Step 1: Water the Source Plants
A day before you plan to transplant, water the existing ground cover patch deeply. Moist soil holds together better, protecting the roots and reducing shock.
Step 2: Dig Up Healthy Sections
Look for vigorous, healthy growth. Using your sharp spade, slice straight down around a section. Aim for clumps that are 4-6 inches across.
Slide the spade underneath the clump to lift it from the soil. Try to keep the root ball intact as much as possible. Place the lifted clump in your bucket.
Step 3: Divide the Clumps (If Needed)
For faster coverage, you can divide large clumps into smaller pieces. Gently pull them apart with your hands, or use a knife to cut them. Each division should have both roots and green shoots attached.
Keep these divisions moist and shaded while you work. A damp burlap sack or newspaper over them in the bucket works well.
Step 4: Plant the Divisions
In your prepared bed, dig a small hole for each division. The hole should be just wide and deep enough to accommodate the roots without bending them.
Place the division in the hole. The top of the root ball should be level with the surrounding soil surface. Backfill with soil and gently firm it down with your hands to remove air pockets.
Step 5: Spacing and Arrangement
Space the pieces according to how fast you want coverage. For quick fill, place them 6-12 inches apart. For a budget-friendly project, you can space them wider; they’ll just take longer to meet.
Stagger the pieces in a zigzag pattern instead of straight rows. This creates a more natural, fuller look as they grow together.
Step 6: Water Deeply and Mulch
Immediately after planting, give the entire new bed a slow, deep watering. This settles the soil around the roots.
Apply a 1-2 inch layer of mulch around the new plants. Keep the mulch slightly away from the plant stems to prevent rot. Mulch conserves moisture and suppresses weeds.
Aftercare for Success
Your job isn’t quite done! Consistent care in the first few weeks is crucial.
- Watering: This is the most important step. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) for the first 3-4 weeks. Water every day or two if it doesn’t rain.
- Weeding: Hand-pull any weeds that appear. Weeds compete fiercely with new transplants for water and nutrients.
- First Trim: Once the plants are actively growing and look established, you can give them a light trim. This encourages them to spread outward and become denser.
- Hold the Fertilizer: Avoid strong fertilizers at planting time. The compost you added is enough. You can apply a balanced, mild fertilizer after the first month of growth if needed.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with care, sometimes issues arise. Here’s how to fix them.
Wilting or Browning Leaves: This is usually a sign of transplant shock or underwatering. Increase your watering frequency and provide some temporary shade during the hottest part of the day for a week.
Slow Growth: Be patient. The plants are focusing energy on root establishment first. Growth should accelerate after a few weeks. Ensure they’re getting enough water.
Gaps Not Filling In: If gaps remain after a full season, you can add a few more transplants the following spring. Sometimes its nessecary to fill in stubborn spots.
FAQ: Transplanting Ground Cover
Can you transplant ground cover in the summer?
It’s not recommended due to heat stress. If you must, do it on a cool, cloudy day, water excessively, and provide shade cloth protection.
How do you transplant ivy ground cover?
Ivy is very resilient. Follow the same steps, making sure each piece has a root node (a little bump on the stem). It roots easily from these nodes.
What is the fastest spreading ground cover to transplant?
Creeping Jenny, some sedums, and ajuga are known for their vigorous spread. They establish and fill in areas very quickly after transplanting.
Should you cut back ground cover before moving it?
A light trim to remove very long stems can make handling easier, but avoid cutting back more than one-third of the plant. The leaves are needed for photosynthesis.
By following this simple guide, you can confidently spread the beauty of your garden. Transplanting ground cover is a rewarding task that saves money and helps you create a lush, cohesive landscape. Remember, the keys are good timing, gentle handling of roots, and attentive watering after the move.