Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Can I dig up shrubs in winter?

marshmellowskiesW41bAiuImarshmellowskiesW41bAiuI Posts: 22
in Plants
Hello everyone, I am looking for some advice as I am new to gardening. I planted a few shrubs in a new border but now have decided to put some of them into pots and place them on the border. Can I dig up the shrubs in the winter months and put them in large pots or does it need to be warmer?

many thanks for any advice!

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited December 2021
    It's fine to lift shrubs - at almost any time of year if conditions are right. Always harder to move them in summer if you don't get regular rainfall, as it  means you need to be very vigilant with watering. At this time of year, that doesn't matter so much, and most shrubs are dormant anyway. Even so, just make sure the soil's moist before digging them up, and water them in after planting. Make sure they're at the same level in the pots as they were in the ground too  :)
    The important things to remember are - get as big a rootball as possible when you're lifting them, and make sure you have pots of a suitable size for them. Normally, if they're staying in the pots long term, you would use a soil based mix for them [available in GCs as John Innes of varying kinds] but if they're only going to be potted over winter or so, it matters less, and compost will be fine.    :)  

    I should also have said - the only time it isn't suitable is when the ground is frozen. Hard to get the spade in  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I'd do exactly as @Fairygirl says and your shrubs will be fine.  Just make sure you position them correctly in your garden, sun lovers in sun etc.  Also, include some pieces of broken pot over the drainage hole and raise your pots on pot feet so there is sufficient clearance for them to drain properly. 

    All plants in pots require a bit more attention than those grown in the ground so make sure you get your watering and feeding right for each plant.  It's also a good idea to top your pots with a layer of horticultural grit, gravel or decorative stones to keep moisture in and weeds out - they also look good!  I hope this helps.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • marshmellowskiesW41bAiuImarshmellowskiesW41bAiuI Posts: 22
    Thank you @Fairygirl and @Plantminded. Such great advice and lots of tips. Really appreciate the help. My dad told me it couldn’t be done in the winter but I think he means he doesn’t want to do it in the winter 😂😂 I’ll have a go at this soon before the ground freezes 😊
    thanks again!
Sign In or Register to comment.