A move on the horizon signals lots of work before you can finally see your checklist dwindle down to its last item. One of the most relevant tasks on your to-do-list will be taking care of your green leafy friends. Our movers Fremont based understand how important it is to you to transfer them to their destination safely. These are living organisms, after all, those that best make your house – a home. For this reason, we care to share with you some tips on how to pack your plants for the journey ahead. Keep reading!
Think about whether bringing them along is the best idea
Naturally, as a loving plant parent, you are more than ready to go through all of the trouble to pack and bring your plants along with you to your new home. Leaving them behind seems like a tough thing to swallow. However, when moving long-distance, you sometimes need to look at the matter from their perspective, as well as the third party – the state regulations.
See if your plants can survive in the new area
Firstly, you must make sure your plants can thrive in their new surroundings. So, before boxing up your leafy housemates check if the weather conditions in your new area suit the needs of their specific kind. If they don’t, you might have to reconsider the whole thing.
Check with the state’s department of agriculture
Secondly, since you are moving long-distance, you will need to check with the authorities of your destination state if they are allowed to cross their borders. Some states have strict regulations about certain plants traveling into their country. California is one such state, right next to Arizona and Florida. Therefore, if you’re moving to Fremont, for instance, your Fremont residential movers may not be able to grant your wish to take your plants with you.
Know that they will undergo a lot of stress
Lastly, moving is not only stressful for you. Whatever the kind, your plant will be struggling with the transplant shock, shifts in light, and humidity. As fragile as they are, they can tell the difference in temperatures, and it might either take them a while to acclimate or cause them to wither.
Important things to know before you pack plants for a long-distance move
Movers understand the risk of moving your plants
Some moving companies that have laws against transferring specific plants across state lines. This is because they understand the danger of the long drive and less than ideal conditions inside of their moving truck. Consequent to this, the plants might die during the transit, and damage the rest of the moving truck content, such as your goods. Therefore, check which of the long distance moving companies Bay Area has is willing to provide you with this service.
You must understand the hazard yourself
Your plants have the best chance of surviving if they ride with you. You will be able to best control the temperature in your vehicle and keep a close eye on them, so nothing breaks or spills. However, although this gives them better odds of survival, it will be quite a lot of work.
Picking the right season is crucial
If you have the possibility of choosing your moving date, making the right call is crucial. The heat of the summer months and the severity of the winter days should definitely be your last choices of the time to pack and move your greenery. The fall and spring have a much better chance of lessening the shock and risk of damage.
How to pack plants properly to endure a long-distance move
Start by assembling the supplies you’ll need to pack your plants for traveling long distances
Roughly four weeks before the big day is a great time to start searching for the right material. Just like with packing fragile items, you will need some high-quality supplies. Unlike typical household items, wrapping your plants in a bubble wrap and putting them into a box is not enough to do the trick. Make no mistake, you will need both, but a couple of other items should find their way to your shopping list as well. You will need some fresh sterile soil and plastic pots for repotting. Next, some cushioning material such as packing paper, but also some plastic bags and flea collars.
Prep your plants for moving before you pack them
- Repot your plants approximately three weeks before the moving day. Since clay pots have a much better chance for breakage, replace them with some plastic ones. Repot your plants using sterilized potting soil to refresh the old one.
- Two weeks before you move is a good time for trimming the dead or excess leaves, stems, or flowers. This keeps your plants healthy as it will deter any pests or diseases. Also, the cutting tools you use should be clean and sharp.
- Check for infestations about a week before the moving day. Infestation can be treated with the help of a flea collar or insecticides.
- Three days before you pack your plants, you should water each of them according to their needs.
The big day is here and it’s time for some finishing touches
Time for wrapping it up. Literally! Protect the pots and keep the contents from spilling by slipping each one into a plastic bag. Fasten the plastic material at the foot of the plant, so it covers only the pot. Then, place them into a moving box and add cushioning so they don’t shift around. It is crucial that you proceed with this as carefully as you can; you can think of it as packing china or glassware.
You can fit several smaller pots into one box, but place bubble wrap or newspapers between them. If you plan on closing the box, make sure that your plants have enough air by poking some holes in the cardboard. When it comes to packing some of your bigger plants, the procedure is the same. Only wrap their top into an old sheet to preserve the branches, and add extra protection to the plastic bags if necessary. Of course, each of the larger ones gets its individual box.
Carefully load them into your vehicle
It would be best if you were to load your botanical friends last, right before your departure. Place them upright and in the passenger’s area, and never in the trunk of your car. Since you might be on the road for quite some time, take your plants with you in your room during your overnight stops. Pack your plants with care and continue to enjoy them once you settle into your new home.
