Alright, listen up, y’all. Today, we’re gonna talk about movin’ them bleedin’ heart plants. You know, the ones with the pretty little heart-shaped flowers? Yeah, them. My grandpappy used to grow ’em, and he taught me a thing or two. Don’t you worry, it ain’t rocket science. Even a blind hog can find an acorn, and you can surely move a plant.
First things first, when’s the best time to do this here plant movin’? Well, you don’t wanna be doin’ it in the dead of summer, that’s for sure. The poor thing will wilt faster than a snowball in July. Springtime, when things are just startin’ to wake up, or fall, when things are coolin’ down, that’s the ticket. That’s when them roots are most likely to take hold and not give you a fuss.
Now, let’s talk about diggin’ it up. You gotta be gentle, like you’re handlin’ a baby bird. Don’t go at it like a bull in a china shop. Use a shovel, or a trowel if it’s a small one. Get yourself a good ways around the plant, so you don’t chop up all them roots. The more roots you get, the better chance it has of survivin’. Think of it like this, them roots are like the plant’s feet. You chop off its feet, it ain’t gonna be doin’ much walkin’, or growin’ for that matter.
- Dig wide, not deep.
- Be gentle with the roots.
- Try to keep as much soil around the roots as you can.
Okay, so you got the plant dug up. Now what? Well, you gotta have a new home ready for it. Pick a spot that’s kinda shady, not too sunny. Them bleedin’ hearts, they like it a bit on the cool side. Just like me, I can’t stand bein’ out in that hot sun all day. Make sure the soil is loose and good. You know, not all hard and clay-like. If it’s hard as a rock, ain’t nothin’ gonna grow in it.
Plantin’ time! Put the plant in the hole, makin’ sure it’s sittin’ at the same level it was before. You don’t want it sittin’ too deep, or too high. Just right, like Goldilocks and her porridge. Fill in the hole with that good soil, pat it down a bit, not too hard though. And then, give it a good drink of water. Not too much, not too little. Just enough to get it settled in.
Now, here’s the important part: after you move it, you gotta keep an eye on it. Water it regular, specially if it ain’t rainin’. But don’t drown it neither. Too much water is just as bad as not enough. And don’t be expectin’ it to bloom right away. It might take a little while for it to get used to its new home. Just be patient. Good things come to those who wait, or so they say. I always say good things come to those who work for it.
Sometimes, you gotta move a plant ‘cause it just ain’t happy where it is. Maybe it’s gettin’ too much sun, or maybe the soil ain’t no good. Whatever the reason, if it ain’t doin’ well, movin’ it might be just what it needs. It’s like when my chickens get too crowded in the coop, gotta move some to a new spot or they start peckin’ at each other. Plants are kinda the same way, they need their space.
And if you’re buyin’ one of these bleedin’ hearts from the store, well, the same rules apply. Get it in the ground as soon as you can, water it good, and keep an eye on it. Don’t let it sit around in that little pot for too long, it’ll dry out and die quicker than you can say “Jack Robinson.” And that’s just a waste of good money.
So, there you have it. Movin’ a bleedin’ heart ain’t so hard after all. Just remember to be gentle, pick a good spot, and give it plenty of water. And if it doesn’t work out the first time, don’t give up. Try again. That’s what my grandpappy always told me, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again”. That goes for plantin’ and just about everything else in life. And if you’re still struggling then go find yourself some help. Ain’t no shame in that. Everybody needs a little help sometimes.
Transplanting bleeding hearts is a good way to keep your garden looking fresh. Every three to five years you can divide the plants. You can even give some away to your friends and neighbors. Share the love, I always say. Just like I share my fresh baked bread and my extra eggs with everyone on the lane.
Tags: [Bleeding Heart, Transplanting, Garden, Flowers, Spring, Fall, Care, Shade, Soil, Roots]
