When should I re-plant this acer?

I bought this well established acer off ebay earlier this year and my plan is to plant it in the soil in roughly the same location as it is now standing.

It's been raining for weeks here and the forecast is for much more of the same but tomorrow is showing as a dry day so am I good to plant it or should I wait?

 

I've been told it's an acer seiryu.

Should I mix ericaceous compost or regular compost with the soil in the hole?

 

I started digging the hole last night but I ran out of time because I underestimated the task at hand. The acer is in a half barrel so it's a big hole to dig, made much more difficult because I'm lifting old flags and digging there, so there's all the stone chippings bed to get through before I'm down to the soil.

The plan is to finish off this afternoon. I'll post a picture.

Getting rid of the soil and stones is going to be a bit of a bugger too.

 

It's not really a small area though. I think there will be upwards of 5 wheel barrow loads to get rid of. I do have a few plans on how to get rid but in itself it's quite a task.

Our household waste disposal centre has a facility for inert waste but you have to have a permit (which I have) and you get a yearly allowance that I've already almost used up. Maybe get rid of as much as possible there and then the rest in the bin over the next few months. Or I could pay one of my neighbours who has a business with a skip permanently at his premises.

 

Whenever I've done any thing that requires digging out some soil I've usually managed to scatter it around the garden, rubble is a different problem, but soil, an inch or so extra here and there soon disappears.

 

I guess you would class this as rubble because of all the stones mixed in from under the flags.

Anyhow, job done, apart from getting rid of the soil/rubble. I'll have a go at that tomorrow.

 

All rubble gone to household waste centre. My back is done for after 3 consecutive days over exertion. Just muscular, I think. I knew I'd do my back, but it's just a bit of discomfort for a day or so.