I want to move some shrubs in my garden. When is the best time of year to do it without killing them?

Answer 1

It's always best to move plants when they will be least affected by the move.
-You should avoid moving plants during a time of the year when the ground is dry.
-You should also avoid moving plants when they are in their vigourous growth period.

In the UK and USA the best time of year to move plants is from November to February. This gives the plant plenty of time to transition out of the heavy growth period in summer. The ground tends to be more damp during this time as well.

You will undoubtedly damage some of the roots during the move, so attempt to avoid this as much as possible.

In very cold areas you may need to provide a thick layer of bark mulch or similar ground cover especially for the first winter. This will protect the newly damaged roots from frost and ensure that the plants don't dry out.

Below is a web link explaining all of this in more detail.

Best of luck

Special Raoul

Answer 2

You've got a lot of good info.

I'd like you to consider this... Next fall. If you have the time, the best thing to do is root prune your shrubs before you move them. You accomplish this by using your spade to sever the roots, as deeply as you can, about 10-12 inches away from the trunks or crown of the shrub. Do this in spring. Repeat again in early to mid-summer. In early fall, increase the size of the root zone by 2-4 inches, and dig out your shrub. By doing this, you increase the amount of fibrous roots that can be saved, those are the roots that do the water and nutrient uptake.

Definitely keep the plant watered well. And as Reynwater suggests, use a root stimulating fertilizer such as the one from Ferti-lome, or one containing mycorrhizal fungi. Also as it was mentioned, if you have sever winters, or this is a 'very important' plant, use 2-4 inches of wood-mulch to protect the root zone over the winter.

I hope that this helps
Good luck-

Answer 3

Don't know where you live but In most places it is still staying above freezing .. so now is the perfect time to replant shrubs or trees or anything that you want to move.. Make sure that you water really good and to mulch not touching the trunk or stem of the plant.. Water very good for a couple weeks after getting them moves so that they have plenty of water for through the winter.. I also water mine in the winter time.. keeps there roots growing good and settles them in really good.

Answer 4

autumn - winter, as long as not frozen. Some shrubs are very robust and nearly cannot get killed by even serious mistreatment, generally such homed in and originating from the region and growing everywhere in the region. For exotic and imported plants as k an expert or search litterature and/or internet.

Answer 5

early spring, before they wake up and start to grow. you can also split them and make more plants ( only with some plants though) also in autumn, but leave it till late autumn rather than early, and give the shrub a wide girth when digging them up, so you do not damage the roots too much. hope this helps.

Answer 6

Raoul is correct. And you should not put fertliser on newly moved shrubs as it weakens any new root growth. Put it on when the weather is warmer by all means. This also applies to any shrubs do not put fertilsier on after August. As you will lose them if the weather turns frosty.

Answer 7

Shrubs can be moved anytime....prune them prior to the move, and keep well watered afterwards...if possible, wrap the trunks with burlap and keep them shaded during the first few weeks.

Answer 8

Best time is Autumn - latest is end of October. Do not put fertiliser in with plants but do water them in. If now is not practical then next best is Spring once all the frosts are gone.

Answer 9

Whenever you choose to move them -- great answers -- be sure and water them with root stimulator. Fertilome makes a product I have used successfully for years, it reduces transplant shock and does stimulate new root growth.

Don't know if any one mentioned: Begin digging outside the "drip zone" or the perimeter of leaves. good luck

Answer 10

I move mine around spring or autumn. do it in the afternoon when its starting to get cool, give them a big drink of water, and some seaweed solution.