Trans-plant - Moving your plants outdoors this spring

(NC)-As the weather warms, many of your favourite leafy friends are ready to take in the great outdoors and move to their Summer home in the garden. Transplanting plants requires tender care. Consider these tips from The Home Depot Canada to help your potted pals adjust to outdoor living:

Wait out the frost. Monitor the overnight weather forecast as tender annuals won't tolerate frost. It's important to ensure winter is gone for good before setting your transplants out in the garden.

A day at a time. Gradually acclimate your plants to outdoor weather over a period of two to three weeks. Start by setting the plants in a shady, protected location for an hour or two a day, then increase the amount of time spent outdoors and exposed to direct sunlight.

Delicate surgery. When transplanting, carefully lift plants by their leaves (not stems), and loosen soil from around their roots with a sharpened pencil. Replant them in moist, all-purpose potting soil.

Garden-side manner. Once your plant is in the ground, make a raised rim of soil around it, slightly wider than its roots and fill to the brim with water. This will help hold water around the roots until the plant establishes its new home.

Avoid transplant shock. Some plants suffer "transplant shock" and fail to take up water through the roots for a while after being planted in a new location. Muddying-in ensures that the roots are drenched in water and prevents air pockets in the soil surrounding the roots.

Plant provisions. If you do not have rich, fertile soil in your garden, regular additions of compost or fertilizers will stimulate growth and help your plant get off to a strong start.

For more ideas on taking your indoor garden outdoors, visit The Home Depot in your community.