This is my thread of choice tho the subject matter also encompasses trees and shrubs, but ... I'm going to relocate from a rented apartment, where I've planted quite a number of things, to my childhood home in the next few months. My question regards how to prepare for moving these plants to my new home. Specifically, a NOID lilac, Mexican buckeye, TX mountain laurel, salvia greggii, perennials (smaller smaller salvia, sages, coneflowers, etc), along with quite a few things in the "cactus" category: agaves, yuccas, etc.
I've thought about root pruning now and potting them up in a few weeks (waiting as long as possible) and moving the pots to the house where there's a south-facing wall with frost protection if/when needed. There's no prepared place for transplanting them at this time (or then) as I need to do quite a bit of 'landscaping' -- as in changing, moving, amending current planting areas at the house. Anybody care to weigh in with thoughts, advice, do's and don'ts ....
Help with relocation questions
How far is the house you are moving to from your current place? and at what time of year will you be moving?
Josephine.
It's about a mile north of where I am now; I see the move taking from now til ? (hopefully) March as the house (empty now) needs some work, contents cleaned out, etc. b4 I move my stuff in. I've started with some yard work cleaning up leaves, twigs, dead stuff on shrubs, etc. TMI? And thanks for the quick response!
Well, it seems to me that you could root prune cut back and pot the smaller perennials to one or two gallon pots and they could wait to be planted until you have the beds prepared for them.
How big are the Lilac, Texas Mountain Laurel and the Mexican Buckeye?
If they are not very big you might be able to move them by severely cutting back the top growth and root pruning. I have heard that Texas mountain laurel is very hard to transplant because of the tap root, so if it is big it might be better to let it live here it is and get a smaller one from home depot this winter.
With the Yuccas and Cactus, if they are manageable it might be best to take them directly where they are going to be planted.
You could draw a garden plan of the yard and put them in the designated place without soil improvement, they usually don't require any. Later on you can weed and mulch the bed according to the way you like it.
I think that a garden plan is very much needed, unless there is one already there.
Good luck and let me know how it goes, it will be interesting to find out and please take pictures.
Josephine.
Thanks, Josephine
The lilac is about 3-4' (and being taken back to the house where I got it!)
The Mex. Buckeye is 4, maybe 5' (just planted last fall).
The Mtn. Laurel I started from seed and neither is a foot tall; haven't had the best results -- well, if they're slow growers I'd guess they're doing ok.
I kinda garden/landscape 'by the seat o' my pants' but have been visualizing how I want it to end up. Looked briefly for some software - landscape design but may resort to graph paper and pencil!
As many as possible will be moved in pots; a couple of 'em may have to be put in a temporary location so I can fix areas that need it b4 moving any plants to a home spot.
The picture idea is on my resolution list for the new year; I have a digital camera in storage -somewhere :) - but need to play with my computer re: photos. I know I can save ones that come in emails, but not sure about downloading from camera. As I said, it's on my to-do list, which is certainly quite long without adding to it.
Speaking of to-do list, I'd better get busy. Back later.
Mary
It looks like they will all be easy to move, I think you will do just fine.
Don't know if this is true or not ,but once long ago an old gardener told me that when he digs up an established plant that he always marks which side is the north side an marks it ,then replants it facing the same way ..This has worked for me for many years every time I don't do this it seems to take much longer for the plant to adapt..Now maybe I am just a supperstious old fool but take it for whatever it is worth...
That's interesting! I'll do a test and check the results....