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Moving to a smaller home means rethinking how you manage space, especially with your beloved plants and gardening tools. For some, a new living arrangement might mean less personal responsibility for garden upkeep, allowing you to downsize not only your plant collection but also any heavy-duty gardening equipment.
Here are some practical tips to help keep your plants organised and thriving in a more compact environment, along with ideas for downsizing gardening tools and finding new homes for plants you can’t take with you.

1. Investigate Your New Space

Before deciding which plants and gardening tools to bring, consider what kind of outdoor space, if any, will be available in your new home. If you’re moving to a retirement village or a smaller community with communal areas, there may be maintenance services for the gardens, so you won’t need to worry about managing a large personal garden. Ask questions such as:

  • Is there a communal garden or shared green space? If so, you may have the opportunity to continue gardening with minimal upkeep, enjoying your plants in a shared setting.
  • Are there gardening services available? Many retirement villages or communities have landscaping teams to handle the bulk of the gardening work. If you’ve been accustomed to caring for a large yard, this shift can significantly reduce the amount of work and equipment you need.

Knowing these details will help you determine whether it’s worth bringing your lawn mower, pruning shears, or other garden tools. In many cases, you might find it best to part with these items, especially if outdoor maintenance is taken care of by your new community. Tools and Gardening equipment usually sell well at public auction; talk to Abbeys Auctions or your Classic Moves Relocation Consultant for assistance.

2. Prioritise and Declutter

Once you understand what your new space offers, review your plant collection. Prioritise plants that will be easy to manage and suit smaller spaces, such as succulents, compact indoor plants, or low-maintenance varieties. Larger plants or those requiring special care might not fit your new lifestyle. Similarly, decide which gardening tools are essential to keep. If you won’t need a lawn mower or other bulky equipment, consider selling or donating these items.

This is where the use of stickers proves handy.  Place a coloured sticker on the plants you want to take with you, and keep an eye on just how many stickered plants you have!

3. Go Vertical

In smaller indoor or patio spaces, use vertical solutions like wall-mounted shelves or hanging planters to maximise plant display without taking up floor space. This approach keeps your home feeling airy while still letting you surround yourself with greenery.

4. Create a Plant Care Schedule

Design a plant care schedule tailored to your new environment, as lighting and temperature changes can impact plant health. A consistent care plan will help your plants adjust and ensure they stay healthy in their new surroundings.

5. Invest in Multi-functional Items

Choose planters or furniture that serve multiple purposes. For example, a coffee table with a built-in planter or a storage bench with plant space can help you organise your plants efficiently while saving space.

6. Finding New Homes for Plants and Gardening Tools

If you can’t take all your plants or tools, here are some ways to pass them on:

  • Gift to Friends, Family, or Neighbours: Loved ones may appreciate new plants, and gifting them to people you know can make the transition easier, as you know they’ll be well cared for.
  • Donate to Schools, Offices, or Community Centres: Many community spaces welcome plants to create a more inviting atmosphere. Contact local places to see if they’d like new plants, or even tools if they have gardens.
  • Organise a Plant or Tool Swap or Sale: Host a swap with friends or neighbours, or list items for sale through local online groups. Swaps can be a fun way to re-home plants and tools with others who’ll put them to good use.

With these strategies, you can organise your plants and gardening equipment efficiently as you transition to a smaller home, creating a well-curated, manageable collection that suits your new lifestyle.