How to Transplant Gardenia Bushes
- 1). Loosen the soil around the gardenia bush with a sharp spade, beginning a distance of 12 to 18 inches from the root ball, depending on the size of the plant.
- 2). Continue to loosen the root ball from the soil until it can be lifted without damage. Leave as much soil attached to the root ball as possible.
- 3). Dig a planting hole that is one and one-half times the width and 1 inch shallower than the root ball.
- 4). Mix 3 to 4 inches of organic compost with the loose soil.
- 5). Position the root ball in the hole with its top inch above soil level.
- 6). Spread the soil and compost mixture over the roots and water deeply.
- 7). Protect the roots by spreading 3 inches of mulch under the gardenia bush.
- 8). Provide the bush with supplemental water once each week during the first month after transplanting, unless there has been an inch or more of rainfall.
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