Whether you have a large collection of houseplants that you're attached to or whether you've recently planted some expensive plants in your yard that you don't want to pay for again, there are many reasons you'd want to take your plants with you on a long-distance move. But due to regional concerns about pests, different climates between your old home and your new home, and rules and regulations that govern moving companies, you may discover that it's unfeasible or even illegal to take your plants to their new home. Research these three considerations before you start planning where you'll plant your current plants at your new house.
1. How you'll transport them
Many moving companies will refuse altogether to transport any of your plants, whether houseplants or outdoor plants. There are several factors that contribute to this. First of all, moving trucks aren't a great atmosphere for plants to ride in because they're not climate controlled and don't let in much light. Your movers don't want your plants to start ailing or freeze solid during a move. Second, moving companies have to have a license to move plants more than a hundred fifty miles, and if they don't have this permit it may be easier just to have a blanket policy against moving plants. So getting a designated plant shipping company may be a necessity if you have more plants than you can move in your own vehicle.
2. Whether it's legal to take them
Many regulations and quarantines exist that can prevent you from taking certain types of plants from one state to another. California, for example, has strict plant importation laws. Other states, especially Arizona and Florida, have similar restrictions. So be sure to check the regulations before you start preparing your favorite plants for shipping. If you have already secured the services of a plant shipping company, they may be able to help you access resources on which of your plants will be permitted in the state you're planning to enter.
3. Whether they'll thrive in the climate you're moving to
The USDA hardiness zones are a good place to start when trying to decide which plants you should take. If you live in zone 8, that doesn't necessarily mean that your plants won't do well in another zone; you'll need to look up each type of plant and see how hardy it is. If you have plants that are only hardy down to zone 7 and you're moving to a colder zone such as zone 5, you can't expect those plants to survive over the winter if you bring them, unless you decide to transfer them to indoor pots for the winter months. However, hardiness zones aren't the only factor that affects whether your plants will do well. Some plants aren't heat-resistant so if you move to a much warmer climate they may not thrive. Other plants may require well-drained soil, meaning that if you move to an area with swampy clay you'll need to use raised beds to keep them happy. The more you know about what each type of plant likes, the better you can decide if it's worth bringing them along.
These three considerations are all vital to the success of your venture when you're trying to move with plants. Be sure to do the research well in advance so you have a realistic idea of whether you can bring your plants and how. Talk to a moving company, like United Moving and Storage, for more help.
