by Sofia Perry (AZ Moving Pros)
Moving Green
Relocation is stressful and complicated all year round, but winters are notably hectic. Why? Because then, besides worrying about finding a new home, selling the current one, doing all those moving-related tasks, and emotionally preparing yourself for this big step, you also have to worry about all the problems that might occur during the bad weather.
Fortunately, there are things you can do; that is, there are precautions you can take to ensure your winter move goes as smoothly as possible, especially when it comes to packing up and transporting your plants. Therefore, here are some tips on how to preserve your plants when moving during winter.
All plant enthusiasts and lovers know that relocating a plant can be a nightmare. Even the slightest mistake on your side can 'kill' them. But do not worry! We are here to help you out. Thus, if you want to know more about getting your plants ready for the road and ensuring they come alive and in one piece to your new home, keep on reading.
Think About the Temperature
For all plants, but especially for those indoor ones, the temperature is critical. Most plants thrive in rooms that have temperatures in the 70-80 degree range. Going above that will also be okay, but going under can make them chill or even 'kill' them, as previously said.
So when relocating plants, it might be a good idea to rent a heated truck. With one of those, you will protect your plants from the cold weather and all the harmful elements that might occur in winter. Moreover, if you plan on storing your plants in a storage unit for some time before you officially move in, again, consider a climate-controlled one. With these two (a heated truck and a climate-controlled storage unit), you will not have to worry about a thing as all your plants will be safe and sound.
However, before renting a truck and a storage unit for your plants, and before you prepare them for crossing the border, call our friends at bluebellmovingandstorage.com and ask them whether you can actually relocate a particular plant. Keep in mind that some plants are considered hazardous!
Think About Protection From the Various Elements
Depending on where you live, you might face different elements that occur during winter. There is rain in some places, hail in others, and in some, there is a lot of snow and extremely low temperatures. So, just like you need a sweater during winter, your plants also need something to knock off the chill when the temperatures drop. And did you know that you could buy a 'sweater' for your plant? Well, you can! You can buy one of those 'sweaters,' or the so-called plant sleeves in plant nurseries or some well-equipped flower shops.
What these plant sleeves do is enable the plants to bundle up and keep them warm. They can also be convenient if you do not plan on renting a heated truck or a climate-controlled storage unit, as they help the plant stay warm and protect them from various elements like rain, snow, hail, etc.
How to Pack up and Insulate Your Plants
If you want to preserve your plants when moving during winter, preparation requires some effort. Actually, if you want your things to arrive safely and in one piece to your new address, it will require a lot of effort, to be honest. Just like you need to follow different steps when packing a sofa, for example, you also need to the same when packing the plants.
So, how does one pack up the plants for relocation? Well, first, you need to buy some packing materials - plastic paper, plastic wrap, and duct tape. You need to create a protective layer for your plants with these. Simply wrap the leaves of your plant (or the entire plant) with plastic wrap and then with packing paper. Packing paper will do wonders as it will help maintain the temperature of the plant. Once you cover your plant, seal it with duct tape from all sides.
How to Load Your Plants Into the Moving Truck/Cargo Area
Once you have packed your plants properly, it is time for loading them into the moving truck or cargo area, depending on how far you are moving. This step, too, is harder than it seems. It is so not because you have to carry large pots but because you need to find them the perfect spot in the truck or container. For this step, you can either hire some moving labor or do it yourself if you are handy and strong enough.
As much as you can, make sure to put all your plants in the same place. That way, they can keep themselves warm and secure. But most importantly, make sure you place them somewhere in the middle of the truck or the container. That is, make sure the leaves are not touching the walls as they may break easily or even freeze completely. Place your plants somewhere in the middle and find a way to secure the pots, that is, pin them in one place. One easy solution is securing the pots with duct tape to another more massive piece of furniture.
Do Not Water Nor Depot Your Plants Two Days Before Moving!
We cannot stress this enough - do not water nor depot your plants a couple of days before moving. This is the golden rule when it comes to relocating plants during winter, but still, many people break it and end up with dead plants. We understand that depoting plants before moving them might seem easier, but that will only 'shock' the plant. If you must, do it after the move, or a couple of weeks before.
When it comes to water, refrain yourself! You know what happens to water in winter months - it freezes. The same will happen to your plant if you water it. So, again, if you want to preserve your plants when moving during winter, leave watering for after the move. Just add a small amount of water two or three days before your planned relocation day, and everything will be fine. However, if you plan on leaving your plants in a self-storage unit for a more extended period of time, then, of course, you must water it every once in a while.
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