do I don't I

[grindle]

At last I will be getting a new fence to run the length of the garden here
but it won't be until late May/June, I know I will have to dig plants out, and quite honestly most of the border is looking a mess and needs a 'good going over'
I can't make up my mind whether to dig out a lot of perennials and pot them now, or wait until the work starts, would that be too late. I'm not worried about the bulbs, I'll dig them out anyway

[Cherry]

I don't know what to advise for the best. I think the time frame will give you the notice you need to get some of your plants into large pots, leaving some which can be left sitting under cover or lightly heeled just the week before. These could be later, established plants which you don't want to break up too much. I agree that this is an opportunity also.

Grindle, I wonder what Steve would think. I would trust him with this. (Not much else! :

[Rosie]

I think i would get them out while they are still starting to appear Grindle, they will be easier to handle and will get the longer season to renew any broken roots so they will take easier when you replant them.

[Geranium]

You haven't got any space to create a 'temporary' bed have you? When the garden room was being built, OH made a square with wood, a bit like a raised bed - we filled it with compost and the plants went in there for a while. They came out very happy - I even managed to split some of them before they went back into their new 'homes'.

I think pots would be the next option. The plants will be so much harder to remove and replant later in the season.

[Cherry]

Mar 30, 2011 8:01:24 GMT Rosie said:

I think i would get them out while they are still starting to appear Grindle, they will be easier to handle and will get the longer season to renew any broken roots so they will take easier when you replant them.

I have been thinking about this and while in my late bath, I thought too that getting them all up is the best option. Then it is a case of 'job done' and you are ready for the fence. Geranium's idea of a raised bed is good too.

[sweetpea]

I would recommend getting on with it while you can. You never know what is just around the corner as I know only too well.

[Cherry]

Mar 30, 2011 11:06:39 GMT sweetpea said:

I would recommend getting on with it while you can. You never know what is just around the corner as I know only too well.

It might sound gloomy, but it is so true.

[peony]

I agree with the 'earlier rather than later' view, a lot of the plants will be just starting into growth at the moment and will settle in well into pots and grow on and be ready for replanting when your fence is completed

[grindle]

;Dthanks everyone for making my mind up, I was sort of thinking that way, I will start it after the weekend as I have family down

[seaburn]

I had a similar dilema when Oh was humming and haaing over a concervatory. I lifted the important plants in the spring into good sized pots. The others I lifted when work was imminent. The only ones that really sffered were the late lifted ones.

personally I'd do it now so they can settle and grow in the pots.

[grindle]

thanks Seaburn
I wish I had the space to make a holding bed but pots will have to do, this is an old photo, so everything is much bigger now, I'm hoping I don't have to move any of the big shrubs

[merlin]

Mar 30, 2011 16:32:58 GMT grindle said:

;Dthanks everyone for making my mind up, I was sort of thinking that way, I will start it after the weekend as I have family down

I think Geranium's idea is good if you have space. The work on the fence will make a mess and you'll have plenty of time to re-design it for next year.
What about a 'Garden party' for your Family, bring your own spade

[grindle]

I don't think I'd trust my family with my plants Merlin ;D

[esther]

I would pot up as amny plants as I could ,too Grindle.You will have lots of fun when you can redesign your border