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Q. How do I move a shrub
A. Perhaps you've looked at the landscape and you've got some roses that are in one location and need to be moved to another, or maybe a shrub in the shade that needs sun, or vice versa. This is the time of year to do it. In late fall, there is much less stress on the plant, and it has a chance to re-establish its roots before hot weather.
You want to get as much of the roots as you can. Moisten the soil the night before if it's been dry. With large plants, unless you have about three chiropractors and a crane on site, trying to get too much soil can really be a problem. What I tend to do is dig under one side of the plant and slide a tarp under that side, then dig out the other side and slide the plant up onto the tarp. It removes the need to lift the plant. You can drag it on the tarp very easily, or have four people grab each a corner and move it that way. This method also keeps from shaking off a lot of the soil around the root ball.
Before moving, dig the new hole, and have the water hose at hand. Move the shrub into its new location and set it at the same depth that it was growing before. With roses, remember to leave the root crown above ground. Backfill partially with soil. Water until it bubbles up, let it settle. Firm the soil, continue filling the hole, and water and firm again.
You can cut the shrub back a little if you like. Usually you don't have to cut it back too much if you move it properly, but about a third is usually okay, except for roses this time of year. With roses, trim out dead branches, and deadhead, but you don't want to encourage a major flush of growth as we head into the coldest months.
A little liquid seaweed or other gentle amendment (not fertilizer) will get it off to a good start. Be sure to keep an eye on the soil to keep it moist if we don't get rain. Mulch around it, but leave a berm to catch and hold water. |
