Re: Moving!!!

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Posted by Newt on August 20, 2003 at 01:31:29:

In Reply to: Moving!!! posted by Nancy Whittemore on August 13, 2003 at 08:47:45:

: I am planning to move into a new home this fall, and wonder what is the best way to move transplants of daylilies, echinacea, sedums, and other drought-tolerant-type perennials, as well as peonies. I'm hoping to have them out of the ground for only a few days, but we all know how that can go! Moving in October in Colorado.
: I appreciate any input from others who have tried to carry their garden with them. Thanks!

Hi Nancy,
I've done what you are going to do and this is what I found that worked best. I dug my plants and potted them up. Just in case you think they might have to spend the winter in their pots, have the soil level in the pots almost to the top so you won't have an accumulation of snow and ice that is excessive. Water them well a day or two before you dig and have your pots ready. If you start now, they will have time to adjust before the cold weather sets in. Keep them grouped together in a semi shady spot out of the wind.

If you think there won't be time to put them into the ground before winter sets in, try and cover the area where you will keep them for the winter with old blankets, two layers of cloth sheets or even old sleeping bags. I was putting pots in the ground that were under the blankets in January in Maryland when all the rest of the ground that wasn't under the covers was frozen. Everywhere the ground and pots were covered the ground was thawed enough to dig and the root systems of the plants weren't disturbed because I buried the pots up to their rims. I buried 500 plants that year and only lost about 10. Most of those were because I left too much space at the top of the pot and the ice collected there and was slow to melt.

If you don't have enough pots, try a nursery or landscaper that does planting. They usually throw the pots away.

Best of luck in your new home,
Newt

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: : I am planning to move into a new home this fall, and wonder what is the best way to move transplants of daylilies, echinacea, sedums, and other drought-tolerant-type perennials, as well as peonies. I'm hoping to have them out of the ground for only a few days, but we all know how that can go! Moving in October in Colorado.
: : I appreciate any input from others who have tried to carry their garden with them. Thanks!

: Hi Nancy,
: I've done what you are going to do and this is what I found that worked best. I dug my plants and potted them up. Just in case you think they might have to spend the winter in their pots, have the soil level in the pots almost to the top so you won't have an accumulation of snow and ice that is excessive. Water them well a day or two before you dig and have your pots ready. If you start now, they will have time to adjust before the cold weather sets in. Keep them grouped together in a semi shady spot out of the wind.

: If you think there won't be time to put them into the ground before winter sets in, try and cover the area where you will keep them for the winter with old blankets, two layers of cloth sheets or even old sleeping bags. I was putting pots in the ground that were under the blankets in January in Maryland when all the rest of the ground that wasn't under the covers was frozen. Everywhere the ground and pots were covered the ground was thawed enough to dig and the root systems of the plants weren't disturbed because I buried the pots up to their rims. I buried 500 plants that year and only lost about 10. Most of those were because I left too much space at the top of the pot and the ice collected there and was slow to melt.

: If you don't have enough pots, try a nursery or landscaper that does planting. They usually throw the pots away.

: Best of luck in your new home,
: Newt

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