Tips for Replanting

1.First I make an Excel chart of what I want where. Plants are grouped according to a program to save time when hybridizing. I print this out and take it to the garden. If I find I need to make changes, if a plant needs to have two spaces instead of one, for example, I can notate that on my field copy and update the computer chart later. I put the tallest plants on the left side of the bed. Because of the way my garden is oriented, the left side would be shaded if I put the tall plants in the middle.


2. When I remove the plants currently in the bed, I have scissors and trays ready. I trim the plants to ready them to be replanted and lay them in trays. I alternate the way the roots are facing to make sure they don't get mixed up. Garden markers are placed on top. Plants are separated into programs, i.e. dip double, tet double, etc., with tray(s) for each. This helps a lot when I'm getting ready to replant.


3. I prep about 4 rows at a time. Before I start planting, I place the plants in their assigned positions and then plant them all at one time. I have a PVC pipe marked with painter's tape to use as a guide. This makes it easy to keep my rows straight.



FYI - when you are putting in new beds, take note of the nearby bushes/trees. The bed I'm currently working on is near a queen crape myrtle. A 6' x 8' area yielded enough roots to almost fill a jumbo trash can. It's been 3 years since I last dug this bed. I was amazed at how the crape myrtle had invaded my space in so short a time.


What tips do you have for planting?