Is this a crazy idea?

My border is quite ill planned and I want to sort it out. Would it be mad to dig up each plant now, while they're sort of dormant, and put them in pots and then rearrange them, then plant them all again?
What about stuff that's still green now?

 

No problem at all.

 

Go for it Daisy.

 

it is a good time to start doing this have fun

 

I agree with the others it's got to be the best time in the year to dig up a plant when it's dormant, so get your warm clothes out and get digging girl! :D
Helen.xxx.

 

I have read in a book on propagation that many people divide plants in the winter, but that it is not really the best time to do it. The reason put forward was that if the plant is not actively growing it cannot repair any damage done to it, and that damaged parts allow viruses and diseases to enter. I would imagine that this might be applicable to digging plants up as well.

That said I would go for it. Most plants are so tough they will take it, and if they aren't that tough - well tough!

I am a great advocate of digging up and replanting. My advise would be, if you have space, plant a good clump. I find that good clumps or drift make much more impact that isolated plants. I always plant pretty close. If you leave a lot of space it looks thin for the next year or two. I know if you plant close you have a problem in a couple of years time - but then that is the time to dig them all up again.

 

do it before the snow in anyways!

 

Good advice there Peter about planting close it is indeed much better to have more of an impact sooner instead of later, that's what I like to do anyway if I have too many plants I am more than happy to share the love and give the extra plants away.
Helen.xxx.

 

I am so glad that someone else does the same as I do! I am forever being told off by my husband for moving my plants around - but when eventually you find a lovely spot for them, and they thrive, you can be pleased with your efforts and be certain you made the right decision. If not, you can always dig them up again - gardening is good fun, isn't it!!

 

I'm with you susannah ... I move my plants more than most people move their furniture!

 

Hi LoL! I see that you are in beautiful Portugal! Have you any thriving citrus trees and what advice can you give to me - I have posted under 'My citrus trees are looking a bit dodgy'

 

Boa noite, susannah. Yes, I live in Portugal and I live in the middle of the orchards ... but I'm afraid I can't give you any advice, I'm sorry! :(

Here fruit trees are just put in the ground, watered and fertilised and left to their own devices ... they are not indigenous to here.

Personally, I have one Bearrs lime tree, one Meyer lemon and one Star Ruby grapefruit. The lime and the grapefruit are in the ground, the lemon in a pot. I've not had much success but I've only had them a couple of years.

My sister, Kedi-Gato from Germany here on GC, has a lemon tree which fruits beautifully in her wintergarden ... let's call on her to perhaps help/advise you ... Sis ???????????

 

Many thanks LoL! So kind of you! Funnily enough I have just posted a comment for Kedi-Gato regarding her Maltese buses!!

 

I have posted an answer over here -


http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=003532&p=2#000019

 

Thanks Kedi!!