If you’re a gardener who has to move house and wants to take the garden too, winter is the time to do it because this is the best time to move plants.
When plants are dormant, or growing slowly, you can dig them up with little damage occurring, and transport them to a new garden or position.
The cooler temperatures of winter also mean plants come under less stress during the move – and so do you emotionally, it is also easier to leave a garden in the winter when it is slumbering.
Most deciduous shrubs, bulbs and perennials are easily moved. Some evergreens such as camellias are also easy to move, but many native trees and shrubs resent a move. If the plant you want to move grows readily from seed or cutting, consider collecting seed or taking cuttings, rather than digging up the entire plant.
Plants that are worth moving are any that may be destroyed if they are left – perhaps by a house extension or changes to the garden layout – any that you feel are irreplaceable. Any plants you’ve put into the garden to help sell the house may also be easy to dig back up, repot and take with you to brighten up the new place.
To prepare a plant for its move, first dig around the root system. If you have time to do this several months ahead of the move, dig a trench around the plant at the extent of its leaves. This severs the main roots, which begin to form new, fine feeding roots that will help the plant adapt to its new location. Fill the trench with sand or compost and give the root area between the trunk and the trench regular water. Apply a seaweed tonic every two or three weeks.
When plants are dormant, or growing slowly, you can dig them up with little damage occurring, and transport them to a new garden or position.
The cooler temperatures of winter also mean plants come under less stress during the move – and so do you emotionally, it is also easier to leave a garden in the winter when it is slumbering.
Most deciduous shrubs, bulbs and perennials are easily moved. Some evergreens such as camellias are also easy to move, but many native trees and shrubs resent a move. If the plant you want to move grows readily from seed or cutting, consider collecting seed or taking cuttings, rather than digging up the entire plant.
Plants that are worth moving are any that may be destroyed if they are left – perhaps by a house extension or changes to the garden layout – any that you feel are irreplaceable. Any plants you’ve put into the garden to help sell the house may also be easy to dig back up, repot and take with you to brighten up the new place.
To prepare a plant for its move, first dig around the root system. If you have time to do this several months ahead of the move, dig a trench around the plant at the extent of its leaves. This severs the main roots, which begin to form new, fine feeding roots that will help the plant adapt to its new location. Fill the trench with sand or compost and give the root area between the trunk and the trench regular water. Apply a seaweed tonic every two or three weeks.
