Q: I need to transplant a mature hydrangea from my son’s present yard to his new home. I need to dig it up now but cannot replant it for a couple of weeks.

A: This should be easy. Soak the soil around the hydrangea until it’s soggy then use a spading fork to lift it out of the ground without damaging too many roots. Use old towels and t-shirts to wrap the roots. Keep them damp and shaded until you can plant the hydrangea in a good spot. The shrub should be fine in the long run but may need a little more water in mid-summer to compensate for the roots that were left behind.