In the Treasure Valley, we’re approaching a great time of year to dig in the dirt. Days are getting a bit shorter, and the intense heat of summer is beginning to loosen its grip. Plants on the move is the task at hand. By that I mean, it’s transplanting time! Divide and conquer, right?! It’s also time to add new plants and trees from the local nurseries. Of course, availability may be an issue, so having some alternate selections in mind will be helpful when shopping for those perfect plants.

A mixed border is a delight in every season. Russian sage, Shenandoah switch grass, and hardy hibiscus make a great combo.

Fall is, in my opinion, the best time for planting, transplanting, and tweaking. We have plenty planned this season. Occasionally I hire a landscaping crew to do the toughest tasks. It’s truly amazing what 8 strong men can accomplish in 4 short hours. Yeah!

Some years ago, we had help with some ambitious transplanting. Relocating a twenty year old japanese maple, a large hydrangea, and a Harry Lauders walking stick was a big job. I’m happy to say, years later those plants are still thriving in their new homes.

Hydrangea macrophylla , otherwise know as mop head hydrangea. I love the purple shades when the blossoms are changing from blue to pink. Choose the cultivars that bloom on new wood for a reliable show next summer.

Successful transplanting requires a few tricks and techniques. Following these will get your plants off to a great start:

1. When digging, retain as many roots as possible. Digging wider than deeper is a general rule of thumb.
2. Take note of the conditions the particular plants need and transplant them to locations that are similar to their old home, unless you’re correcting that type of issue. This can be a little tricky because the sun has shifted in fall and is very different than summer patterns.

Spreading ground covers have many functions in the garden. Besides being pretty and adding color, my fav − no mulch needed! Divide and conquer − replant where needed.

3. Keep the new transplants well watered. Depending on the season and dryness of the soil, every couple of days may be needed for a settling in period. Always, water deeply to reach the entire root system. And don’t forget, plants need to be watered even in winter as bitter winds can dehydrate foliage.

Echinacea, or it’s old fashion name coneflower, is a happy perennial that can be divided and shared with gardening friends or transplanted to new areas in your garden.

4. If you want to wait and replant some things in spring, trim the roots around the plant now. A spade shovel is a great tool for this task. Tip pruning the stems and foliage in equal proportions to the root work is also a great practice to prepare a plant for moving day. This tip seems to contradict #1 but it doesn’t, because you’re trimming the roots and the foliage proportionally. I think of it as a bit of a warning to the plant, saying “you’ll be moving soon”.

Your plants are waiting for you, so get out there! You’ll be glad you did next spring!