Take note of which direction the crown faces before moving a barrel cactus.
image by Kathleen Stebbins
Barrel cactus plants are shaped as the name implies, stout and fat with thick ridges that ascend in a slight spiral toward the crown. They sport long, slightly hooked spines and in spring burst forth with plump, yellow fruit shaped like tiny pineapples. Like many desert specimens, they adapt well to harsh conditions and can sometimes be found hiding beneath shady desert scrub.
Notice which way the barrel cactus crown--where the ridges meet at the top--faces before moving it (usually south, toward the sun). You should replant it in the same orientation.
Use the shovel to loosen the soil around the base of the cactus. Barrel cacti tend to have shallow root systems that can extend horizontally for several feet. If you find some close to the surface, unearth them.
Dig a hole in your cactus' new location, about twice as wide as its diameter. If you found shallow roots, dig shallow trenches for them to lie in as well.
If you have organic matter such as compost available, put some in the hole. Fill it with water, which should drain out while you're moving the cactus (if it doesn't, you may need to find a location with better drainage).
Moving your cactus
Use the shovel to dig and lift the cactus slightly up from the ground.
When the cactus is loosened and ready to move, lay the tarp on ground on the side opposite the cactus' crown.
Use the shovel to tip the cactus onto the tarp. Don't worry about the spines--a few may break but most will remain intact.
Carry the cactus in the tarp to its new location (with a friend's help, if needed) and plant it with the crown facing its original direction. Replace and tamp down soil.
Water lightly every other day for two weeks, then gradually lengthen time between waterings. Once established, a barrel cactus requires no water except in extreme drought conditions.