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Best time to move plants

Lee AlexanderLee Alexander Posts: 30
in Plants
Hello, I have a very well established garden and borders; however it is time to move some plants which are being out competed where they are! What has been your experience of successfully moving plants, which is the best month to do this? Thanks in advance :smiley:

Posts

  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    edited August 2022
    In the autumn, while the soil is still warm, when there's usually a decent amount of rain and when many plants can be cut back quite hard so they develop roots without too much top growth. There are some that are better moved in spring, but most can be moved in the autumn, with a bit of care. Regardless of the season, I wouldn't attempt to move established plants in a prolonged dry spell such as most of us are experiencing at the moment. Wait 'til it starts raining again

    Lovely garden BTW  :)
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,351
    I moved plants at all imaginable times, as needed. But when I can choose, I avoid the coldest and wettest part of winter and very dry periods in summer.
    The perfect time depends on the plant and weather. I try to plan major changes for spring or early autumn but I often get behind with my plans.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I normally try for mid to late September, but as with a lot of other gardeners this year, a lot depends on whereabouts you are in the UK.
    I need a good week's worth of steady rain before l can even begin to think about it.
  • ObsessedPlantswomanObsessedPlantswoman Posts: 69
    Gorgeous beds, how did you defend your hostas from 🐌
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Fantastic looking planting! Yes, Autumn is good, so is early spring when shoots are starting to come up. I find it easier to visualise the space a plant will take up if I move it in Autumn, because you can leave all the top growth in place. And it's moer convenient if you have lots of spring bulbs. Some plants do better moved in early spring, especially ones that hate winter wet; being moved in Autumn can make root rot slightly more likely.

    For now, to protect smaller plants that are being swamped, you can trim the ones crowding them right back.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • Lee AlexanderLee Alexander Posts: 30
    ObsessedPlantswoman said:
    Gorgeous beds, how did you defend your hostas from 🐌
    Thank you 😊 I've made box wooden frames, edge with copper tape and then fill with a layer of grit! They still get through though but not as much!
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Yes, gorgeous garden. If I have to move things before autumn,I dig them up with a good bit of soil, put them in a pot, plenty of water, and leave in the shade for several days,I find this works well 
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