How to Move a Garden to Your New Home

No doubt you have spent many years tending and nurturing your garden (and spent a small fortune in the process), so they are almost part of the family.

Maybe your children planted that rose bush, and that ornamental bush was a housewarming gift from a favourite aunt 15 years ago, so you really do have strong emotional ties to them.

But can you legally take plants from your garden with you when you move home? Yes and No.

Plants in pots, BBQs, patio heaters, outhouses, and sheds are referred to as ‘chattels’ as they are removable, and you should include them in your fixtures and contents list when selling a home as to whether they are staying or not.

Plants that are grown in the soil usually mean they are part of the property itself and are called ‘fixtures’.

These again should be clearly marked on the fixtures and contents sheet as to whether they are being taken or left.

This will then be a matter for negotiation between the buyer and seller.

So a bush that is grown in the ground is a fixture but plants in pots are chattels.

If after moving into your new home you discover that ‘fixtures’ have been removed from the garden, you can refer the matter to court under the established law that states “anything that is attached to the soil becomes part of it”.

As a buyer or seller, be sure to clarify what, if anything, is being removed from the garden.

You can learn more about chattels and fixtures at www.morrisonsolicitors.com

But legalities aside, let’s look at how you can move your garden to your new home.

You may also like to read: How to Move Out of a Home You Love. Moving away from a home and garden that you have cherished and loved for years can be a difficult thing to do. In this guide, we offer some practical tips to make the transition to your new home easier emotionally.

How to Move a Garden Swing to Your New Home

• Photograph the swing from every angle so you have a picture of how it should look when it is reassembled.
• If the parts are heavy or awkward to handle then make sure you have a helper or two.
• Dismantle the swing from the top down.
• Number the parts if you need to which will make reassembly easier: beam 1 slots into hole 1, apex 3 bolts to holes 3, etc.
• Keep all the small parts, like nuts and bolts, together in one bag. Put any nuts and washers back onto the bolts so they do not get lost.
• Use the opportunity to check for any worn or damaged parts that may need replacing.
• If you think the individual items require protection during the home move then wrap each part in old blankets or bubble wrap, securely taped.

You may also like to read: How to Soundproof Your Home and Garden. It may be that you are moving somewhere where noise may be a concern in your new garden. Here we offer some practical tips to help reduce outside noise.

How to Move Patio Furniture to Your New Home

• Dismantle legs from tables which will make them easier to move.
• Keep any nuts and bolts together in one bag having screwed the nuts back onto the bolts.
• Wrap chairs with bubble wrap or an old blanket to prevent damage.
• Tabletops should be wrapped in blankets or bubble wrap before a final layer of protective cardboard is wrapped around the entire piece.

You may also like to read: How to Move Heavy Furniture. It may be that you cannot dismantle your patio furniture. If that is the case then this guide to moving heavy pieces of furniture, from packing to lifting techniques will be invaluable to you.

How to Move a Patio Heater to a New Home

• Remove the gas bottle, which the removal company will be prohibited from transporting for health and safety reasons.
• Next, the heat-reflecting hood should be removed.
• Keep all the nuts and bolts together in a small bag and tape them to the inside of the gas bottle door well so that they do not get lost.
• Working from the bottom up, wrap the heater in bubble wrap or old blankets.
• Secure the protective padding well with plenty of tape.

You may also like to read: How to Pack and Move Things That Your Removal Company Can’t. In this guide, we share packing and moving tips for items that your removal company cannot move for health and safety reasons, such as gas bottles, liquids, and plants.

How to Move a BBQ to Your New Home

• Remove the old charcoal and clean the BBQ thoroughly.
• Take photographs if it will help you when you want to reassemble the BBQ.
• Wrap any removable parts individually in bubble wrap.
• Remove the legs so that they do not get damaged in the removal van (this prevents any damage from being caused by things being stacked on top of the BBQ)
• Keep all small parts in a bag and tape it firmly to the BBQ.
• The main bowl of the BBQ can be boxed and the other removed parts put into the same box.
• Pad the box with old newspaper to prevent the contents from moving about inside the box.
• Clearly label the box and where you want it put in your new garden.
• If you have a gas BBQ be sure to remove the gas bottle as your removal company will be unable to transport this for health and safety reasons.
• Then dismantle and pack as above.

You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide. The safest way to move heavy and large garden furniture and equipment to your new home is by hiring a good removal company. This guide explains exactly how to hire the best removal company for particular needs.

How to Move Potted Plants to a New Home

Most removal companies will not move plants, as removal vans are not the best environment to transport your precious plants.

Temperatures can rise and fall very quickly in an enclosed space, and plants can quickly be irreparably damaged.

However, for short moves, the removal company may agree to move your plants, so it is worth asking.

Ultimately, the best way to transport plants is in your own vehicle when you will be able to regulate the temperature and give them the attention they deserve and need.

• Make sure the plants are moist, but not dripping water, which may damage other items being moved.

• Smaller potted plants can be grouped into open-topped boxes or trays to make transportation easier.

• Plastic boxes, the type you would use for under-bed storage, are great, as any escaping water will not cause damage or weaken the box.

• Pack the pots with cardboard or padding between them to prevent movement, and therefore damage, to the pots whilst in transit.

• Consider adding further support stakes, or tying back the foliage, for taller plants, to help prevent damage whilst they are being moved. If the foliage is tied back it will make handling them easier too.

• Load your plants last so that they spend as little time as possible in a hot vehicle, and also so that nothing gets stacked on top of them.

You may also like to read: How to Move Plants to a New Home in which we offer more in-depth packing and moving tips for your precious plants.

How to Move Garden Plants and Shrubs

It is stressful for the plants to be moved at any time of year but especially during their growing season, so if you are intent on taking that shrub with you, you will need to plan your moving date around its growing cycle.

To give your plants the maximum chance of survival, and if it is appropriate, prune your plants about 3 weeks prior to moving day.

This will give the plant a chance to recover from the pruning before the second shock of relocation.

Remove the plant from the soil the day before you move.

Ensure that you dig out the entire root ball, the easiest way to determine this is by the extent of the leaves.

The furthest tip of the branches is roughly where the root ball will extend to.

Once removed from the soil ensure the root ball is moist and wrapped in plastic.

If moving in winter and the cold temperature is likely to damage the root system, wrap it in bubble wrap or an old blanket for insulation.

Be sure to replant your foliaged friends as soon as you get to your new home, having previously chosen a suitable position for them.

It may be that your plants suffer some relocation shock and this often manifests itself in yellow leaves.

If after a week or two your plants show no sign of improvement, seek professional advice.

If the plant is just too big to move or you just cannot take it with you consider taking cuttings which is an easy and effective way to take numerous plants with you.

You may also like to read: The Complete Guide to Dog Proofing Your Home and Garden. When moving to a new home and garden you can never be sure that it is totally dog-proof. In this guide, we look at the best ways to secure your garden and make sure your dog is kept safe.

How to Move a Hot Tub

Before attempting to move your hot tub it may be worth taking a few moments to consider the cost-effectiveness of moving it.

Taking into account the time and effort to empty, clean, dismantle, move, transport, and resite, the question is, is it worth moving a hot tub to your new home?

Most often the answer will be no.

The best solution would be to negotiate a selling price with your new buyers and put that money towards the cost of a new tub.

However, if you are still intent on taking it with you, the safest option is to hire a removal company to do it for you.

Still want to know how to move a hot tub by yourself? OK, here goes…

• You will need two sturdy lengths of wood that reach the entire width of your tub (so that your tub can sit safely upon the wood), two four-wheeled furniture dollies, load straps, and helpers.

• Clear a safe route to the removal truck, ensuring that the width and height of the route are sufficient to get the tub through.

• Disconnect the electricity and water supply to the spa.

• Bundle all leads and tubes so that they do not create a tripping hazard. Then tuck safely away.

• Drain the tub as per the manufacturer’s instructions, and take into consideration any local bylaws regarding wastewater.

• Clean and dry the inside of the spa.

• Next with the assistance of your helpers, lift each edge of the spa so that it rests upon the lengths of wood you had ready.

• If you now have a clear run to the removal truck, with sufficient clearance that the tub can be moved in the flat position, just slip your furniture dollies under the front and back of the tub. With the aid of your helpers, strap the tub to the dollies and guide the tub to the waiting truck.

• More likely is that you will need to maneuver the tub onto its side to get it through a gate or alleyway. An appliance dolly is really useful for this as it will make moving the tub easier.
• From the flat position, have your helpers lift the tub onto its side and slip it onto the dolly. Be sure to strap it securely before attempting to move it. Then move it steadily to the truck with your helpers to guide and hold the tub securely.

• Load the spa at the bulkhead of the removal truck, whilst it is still on the dollies. Use the lengths of wood to chock the wheels of the dollies, wrap the entire thing in thick blankets, and strap the tub to the side of the truck.

You may also like to read: Can You Leave Stuff Behind When Moving Home? Often people pots of paint or old garden tools for the people moving into their old home. You may think that is a nice and useful gesture but can you legally do that? In this guide, we find out what you can and cannot leave behind when you move out.

How to Pack a Garden Shed

Unless you are super organised, most garden sheds are a dumping ground for garden toys, gardening equipment, tools, garden furniture, and anything else that we need ‘out of the way for now’.

So your first step will be to declutter the shed and get rid of anything that is broken, or surplus to requirements.

It is also time to weed out the items that your removal company is prohibited by health & safety from moving for you.

This includes:

• Flammable and corrosive materials
• Aerosol sprays
• Acid
• Oil
• Antifreeze
• Petrol
• Paraffin
• Pesticides
• Fertilizers
• Propane gas
• Paint
• Paint thinners
• Any machines that have any of these liquids in them.
• This list is not exhaustive so check with your removal company first.

It is never worth the risk of trying to transport part full tins of paint, so either leave them, with the consent of the new owner, donate them to friends or family, or dispose of them safely at a recycling centre.

Moving home is a great opportunity to get organised for your new shed, so invest in some tool boxes, or boxes with dividers to keep all your nuts, bolts, screws, and nails in.

Packing your garden shed should be a lot easier now you have decluttered.

• Ideally, small hand tools should be kept in suitable toolboxes and so will require no packing.

• Power tools are best transported in their original packaging or suitably strong cardboard boxes.

• Petrol-powered tools should be drained of all oil and fuel before being cleaned and packed.

• Long-handled tools like brooms can all be grouped together and tied into a bundle.

• Any exposed blades should be wrapped in towels and cardboard to prevent any injuries.

• Make sure all boxes are sturdy enough to carry the weight you intend to put into them.

• Double-tape the bottom of the boxes for added strength.

• Wrap any bladed tools before boxing them to prevent injury.

• Patio furniture cushions can be moved in strong black sacks.

• Pack the boxes with padding to ensure the contents cannot move around and damage each other.

• Clearly label that the boxes are destined for your new shed or garage

You may also like to read: The Epic Guide to Decluttering for a Home Move. In this guide, we suggest the best ways to declutter your home for moving including a section dedicated to decluttering sheds and garages.

A garden really can make all the difference in making a house a home, and some plants will take more care to relocate than others.

If you are in any doubt as to their suitability for moving, or the suitability of the soil in your new garden, always seek professional advice.