From Ground: Begin by watering the california aster plant thoroughly the night before to ease the stress of relocation. On the day of transplanting, use your spade to dig a trench around the plant, keeping a good distance to ensure the plant's root ball remains intact. Carefully work the spade under the root ball to lift the plant from the ground, and then place it gently in a prepared bucket or wheelbarrow for transportation.
From Pot: If the california aster is in a pot, you'll need to gently tip the pot sideways, applying little pressure around the pot's base to loosen the soil and root ball, allowing the plant to slide out. If it doesn’t slide out, you might need to tap the pot's rim on a firm surface.
From Seedling Tray: To remove the california aster from a seedling tray, first water the seedlings to moisten the soil. Gently hold the base of the stem with one hand, using a trowel or a spoon with the other to lift the seedling, soil and roots from the tray.