When can I move plants?

Comments: 11

~ Zeldapie Aug 22, 2006, 12:50pm EDT

Huh?

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♥kyra D. Aug 22, 2006, 12:53pm EDT

I'd wait to move them until they are dormant. In late fall or early winter.

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♥kyra D. Aug 22, 2006, 12:54pm EDT

I'd like to add to my post above and say.....at least 2 or 3 weeks before the first freeze.

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S S. Aug 22, 2006, 1:00pm EDT

I have to admit, I'm a survival-of-the-fittest gardener: I move plants when I feel like it, and if they don't survive, well, too bad! I'd water both spots (the old and the new) thoroughly first, and take as much soil as possible from the old location. It's surprising how much abuse most perennials can take - and if they can't, well, time to visit the nursery!

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Μόףףý ● ķ ~ Aug 22, 2006, 1:12pm EDT

I do know that moving them in the heat of the summer is not usually a good idea, trial and error! I learned the hard way. But, I have had the best luck with moving them in the spring, when they first start to pop up out of the soil and its still fairly cool out. Like Sonya said, be sure and give them lots of water for a few days after moving them until the roots can get re-established in their new home.

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~ Zeldapie Aug 22, 2006, 1:59pm EDT

Thanks, all!
The weather in Minneapolis is glorious now, thankfully. If I move them in the cool of the evening and keep them watered, they may have a few days or weeks of unhappiness, but they'll spring back eventually, I'll bet.
I won't divide... just move the entire plant (thanks for the tip on keeping as much original soil as possible).

hentthabox, where do you live?

Yeah, I LURVE Columbine!

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Julia Schrenkler Aug 22, 2006, 4:35pm EDT

Thanks for asking this question, Zeldapie, I'm bookmarking it for the answers!

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Peter Bergerson Aug 23, 2006, 2:56am EDT

Ideal times for transplanting perennials varies by growth habit. Plants that bloom in spring transplant best in late summer or early fall. Summer and fall bloomers transplant best in early spring as they are just beginning to grow. Hardy bulbs of all types shouldn't be dug up until their growth slows after flowering. Then they can be replanted in the fall or (depending on type) overwintered and planted out in the spring.

I could go into more detail, but each individual plant has its own preferences that don't always match up to the generalized instructions. For advice on specific plants, consult your favorite gardening books and if you still need more help, ask more questions here.

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Auntie Smedley Aug 29, 2006, 10:38pm EDT

Zelda, One thing I can tell you is *don't* move them while they are in bloom. That's one of the worst things you can do: Stress them when they're pouring all of their energy into flowers.

(Learned the hard way. I miss that pretty purple salvia!)

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When can I move plants?

Comments: 11

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