Moving house, moving your plants
Can't bear to leave all your plants behind when you move? David Hurrion shows you how to successfully transplant your favourites to a new garden. Photos by Jason IngramReproduced from February 08 issue of Gardeners' World magazine, this month's issue on sale now. Subscribe now by direct debit and save 25 per cent.
Moving house is one of the most stressful things you'll do in your life, and for most people it's enough hassle to pack up everything indoors, without even thinking about the garden. But if you're like me, you'll need a separate removal van for the plants, pots and garden furniture, not forgetting the contents of the garden shed.
While gardens are often one of the key selling points for a property - a well-maintained one can clinch a deal and add 10 to 15 per cent to the value of your home - there may be various treasured, unusual or expensive plants that you want to take with you. Some plants may be difficult to find again in garden centres ornurseries and, in a few cases, may have fallen out of commercial cultivation altogether. But be aware that you'll need to agree this with the buyer in advance - click here for more information.
Choosing what to take with you also depends on what's already in the garden you're moving to, so it pays to have a good chat with the vendor first and ask them what's there and which plants, if any, they intend to take. This is particularly important in the dormant season, when it's difficult to identify leafless shrubs and trees and when herbaceous perennials have died down for the winter. And don't forget to find out about the soil type and the prevailing microclimate in your new garden, as the growing conditions may affect which plants you decide to bring.
There's certainly money to be saved by taking a selection of plants from an established garden, particularly if you're moving to one that's a blank canvas. Wherever possible, try to save seeds, take cuttings and divide plants, as this allows you to leave the original plants behind for the new owners and makes transportation much easier. A few pots of seedlings or cuttings and rooted suckers, offsets and divisions can easily provide you with the basics to establish your next garden.
When it comes to the bigger stuff, like trees, shrubs and large clumps of perennials, it's only really worth trying to move them in their entirety if they've been in for less than five years. Even then, it can be a struggle to lift quick-growing specimens - and don't forget that there's only so much space in a removal van!
Countdown to moving
In an ideal world, gardeners would move house only during the dormant season, between October and March. It shouldn't be difficult - after all, that's a full six-month period. However, add in estate agents, solicitors, surveys, availability of removal vans, and the vagaries of house chains, and you'll be hard pushed to accommodate the needs of the garden as well. So, if you're planning to move, it pays to prepare your plants carefully in advance so they're ready to go whenever you are.
Four months ahead
- Dig around established plants with a spade to stimulate the formation of a fibrous rootball that will be much easier to lift.
- Prune back the top growth of trees and shrubs by one-third to encourage bushy growth and make them manageable during the move.
- Pot up any special plants from the garden so they're easy to transport.
- Keep plants well watered and fed during the growing season so they're in good health ready for the move.
- Collect seeds as they ripen, usually in late summer or autumn, from plants you want to propagate.
One month ahead
- Inform the removal company of how many plants, pots, tools, machinery and garden ornaments you have - don't underestimate.
- Water the plants regularly to ensure they transplant well.
- In autumn and winter, pot up small shrubs and border plants.
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