How To Transplant Black Eyed Susans In 3 Steps

If you want to know how to transplant black eyed susans, you’ll be pleased that it only takes three steps. Remember that this will always be a useful skill whether you want to propagate black-eyed susans, or if you’re going to transfer those that you started indoors. After all, it’s better to grow plants in the greenhouse to later transplant outdoors in some regions.

Since black-eyed susans are short-lived perennials, you must know how to transplant them correctly. By following the tips below, you can easily prevent transplant shock and ensure that your plants will thrive after you replanted them. This article also includes bonus tips for caring for and maintaining black-eyed susans. 

How To Transplant Black Eyed Susans In 3 Steps

 

Transplanting Black-Eyed Susans For Beginners

 

Step #1. Preparation

The first step in transplanting black-eyed susans is preparing the plant and the site. This way, you minimize the risk of transplant shock. The best time to transplant these plants is in spring, right before they develop new growth. 

Transplanting around this period is optimal because you’ll have enough time to establish roots before the heat of summer. Some gardeners also transplant in the fall, but this is only safe if you have a greenhouse. You don’t want to risk damaging the roots in winter outdoors. 

Choose a cool and cloudy day to avoid stressing the plants and prepare the site as well. Loosen the ground and add some compost to improve its structure before planting. The good news is that black-eyed susans are not picky with sun exposure, so you are not limited in choosing the area itself. 

 

Step #2. Digging and replanting

Once the plant and site are ready, you can dig out the plant for transplanting. Start digging around the black-eyed susan to make lifting easier. Allocate a distance of 10 inches from the plant so that you can avoid hitting the roots.

Gently lift out the plant from the soil, and you should be able to get the root mass with some soil intact. It would be best that before you lifted the plant, you have dug a hole on the new site as well. This way, you don’t risk drying the roots while waiting. 

The new area should be big enough to anticipate the roots. Place the plant in the middle of the hole so that the top of the soil mass is at the same level as the ground. Fill back the hole to stabilize the transplant in place while making sure there are no air pockets. 

 

Step #3. Maintenance

The final step for transplanting black-eyed susans is maintenance. The best way to ensure the establishment and avoid transplant shock is by watering the plant well. After planting and maintaining soil moisture, saturate the soil so the ground’s top two inches won’t dry up.

However, be mindful not to overwater your transplants, as this can also encourage root rot. You can also feed in spring to boost your black-eyed susans two months after you replanted them. A balanced and diluted liquid fertilizer should suffice, but be mindful of the label instructions to avoid burning the roots nor foliage. 

Transplanting in the greenhouse can be more advantageous in some regions if your climate is too extreme. Remember that extreme temperatures are detrimental to transplant recovery. Therefore, you can also mulch your plants as part of maintenance if they are outdoors. 

 

 

Planting Black-Eyed Susans

To ensure that your newly transplant black-eyed susans will thrive, you want to certify that they will undergo optimal conditions and practices when planting them. For example, the University of Florida recommends having black-eyed susans in a sunny location. The site itself will also be perfect if it is fertile and well-draining to help your transplants establish themselves faster. 

You can check the ground regularly to know if they need watering and then fertilize the plants at the beginning of the growing season. You can even deadhead your black-eyed susans to extend the blooming season. And if you want another flowering by the end of fall, you can cut them back after the first bloom. 

Common problems in black-eyed susans are generally easy to prevent under ideal growing conditions and management. You can avoid developing powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spots on your plants by watering correctly and maintaining stable conditions in the environment. Cleanliness and regular checking should also keep pests like aphids at bay, and your black-eyed susans should be safe from any severe infestations. 

 

Conclusion

One of the most important skills that every gardener must learn is transplanting, even with low-maintenance plants like black-eyed susans. You can simplify the process and learn how to transplant black eyed susans in three simple steps, and you don’t have to be afraid of transplant shock. 

Prepare your site beforehand to avoid drying the transplants. Dig out the plants in spring to prevent encountering heat challenges in the summer or freezing conditions in winter. This way, your plants have established vigorous roots. 

Dig around the plant to make lifting easier and place them in the new site. Water the soil well and prevent the area from drying as part of maintenance. You can also fertilize two months after you transplanted black-eyed susans, and you’re done. 

 

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