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When to Plant New Conifers

sandra255sandra255 Posts: 65
in Problem solving
We bought 7 new Gold Crest conifers six weeks ago ready to plant along our boundary line once the contractor has chopped down and done root grinding on our existing thicket hedge.  The contractor has now let us down and wants to put back the work until the last week of November.  We believe this is really too late to be planting conifers so our choice now is either to risk  going ahead once the work is done, or to re-pot them into larger containers and put them in a sheltered spot to wait for spring. 
Which do you think is the least risky option?  The conifers are about a metre high, and very healthy right now.  We live on the Dorset coast.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They'll be fine. Potted plants can be put in at any time as long as the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged [although waterlogged ground wouldn't be great anyway] and as long as the pots they're in are adequate, there shouldn't be any need to re pot.
    They won't be growing much at this time of year anyway.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • sandra255sandra255 Posts: 65
    Thanks for the info.  The site is on a hill so it's free draining anyway.  My main worry was a subsequent snap of icy weather causing damage to the disturbed roots.  I'll give it a try then.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If the site is properly prepped, there should be no problem. I'm afraid a hill doesn't necessarily mean the ground is free draining - it's the condition of the soil the plant is going into, and what's around and under it, that determines how good the drainage will be.
    No hills would ever be boggy and wet  if that was the case. If it's boggy ground, it won't be free draining.   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Danae(dan-Ah-ee)Danae(dan-Ah-ee) Posts: 966
    I have several dwarf conifers (and of the other kind!) in my garden.  Over the years,I've planted some in spring and some in autumn.  They're all thriving!
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