Can i transplant hedges

The actual time needed from digging to completion depends on how hard you are keen to push yourself so make sure you have allocated a good few hours to get the job done. The preparation required before the big move is the most important part of the process. If you loosely tie the branches together with a rope this will give you some additional room to work with and make sure the branches don't get in the way. If the hedge is made up of a collection of plants you will need to transport them one at a time.

Try to dig them up with as big a root ball as possible. The larger the root system then the more chance the roots can take hold in the new location. A good start is to begin digging around feet out from the base of the plant depending on how big it is. You will then find the roots soon enough and will get a strong sense for the size of the root ball. This will also give you a good idea of how heavy it is likely to be so you can decide whether you need assistance with the transportation.

The aim is to keep the root ball as intact as possible however with the larger plants this may not be an easy job, as you will be less likely to get near it. It will also be too heavy to carry if the plant is big anyway.

As a result if the plant is mature you may need to cut through some roots either with a shovel or secateurs, however make sure you make a clean cut as this will reduce the stress on the hedge. Where you can try to be gentle and save as many roots as possible.

Once you have been able to free the plant from the ground you can transport it easily using a sheet. When you are re-homing the hedge, try to spread out the roots as much as you can then you can fill in the hole with a mixture of soil and fresh compost.

Be sure to firm the ground around the plant carefully to eliminate any air pockets. Larger plants may require some help staying upright with stakes until they get established. This is especially true if the hedge is in a windy site. If you have dug a trench rather than one hole ready to house multiple plants then try to keep the same spacing as they were previously, as you want to make sure that the roots are evenly spread across the hedge as a whole.

A hedge has many uses in a landscape. It marks the division between garden rooms, provides privacy, blocks an unwanted view, and provides a backdrop for other plants and flowers. Sometimes a hedge outgrows its usefulness and needs to be moved or transplanted.

A mature hedge may require equipment to dig the plants out, dig the new bed, and transport the plants. A bush 5 feet high with a 3-foot-deep root system is difficult to move without help or equipment. Decide where the new hedge will be. If the hedge is currently growing in the shade it's best to find a new spot in the shade as well. Some plants, like cacti, will become sun-burnt if the orientation to the sun is changed. In other words, keep the north side of the plant facing north and the south side facing south after transplanting.

Mark the orientation on the plant or tie a ribbon to mark the plant's orientation. Dig the new plant holes. If the ground is hard, use a pick ax or water the ground first and then dig the holes a few days later. The best option is to dig a trench three feet wide and three feet deep.

This will make it easier to transport to its new location. If you do need to cut the roots, be sure to use a sharp pair of secateurs or a knife to ensure a clean cut and reduce stress on the hedge.

Try and be as gentle as possible saving as many roots as you can. Avoid the temptation of breaking up the soil at the bottom of the roots.

This may cause the bush to sink, therefore encouraging rotting. Add the hedge to its new hole and spread out the roots out as much as possible. Make sure that the hedge is no deeper in its new hole than its old one and fill in with a mixture of soil and fresh compost. Water the hedge once more and keep watering the hedge every few days.

You can also add additional organic material like bark chipping or grass mulch, which will slowly break down and provide nutrients to the hedge. How to Move a Hedge or Bush in Your Garden Moving or transplanting your hedge may seem like a daunting task, but by following our simple guide, you can complete the move as quickly and efficiently as possible. When to move your hedge Deciding when to move your hedge will take a lot of forward planning, many hedges will need time to prepare for the move.

Transplanting a rose bush Unlike other bushes, roses prefer to be transplanted just above the ground level. How to move a privet hedge Privet hedges require a strong cut back between one and two-thirds of the plant to encourage new root growth after the move. Transplanting hydrangea bushes Hydrangeas are a really popular bush in many gardens and can be transplanted if necessary. When to move rhododendron The transplanting of most rhododendrons, even the larger ones, can be performed fairly easily.

Deciding where to move your hedge Before moving any hedge, you need to work out where you are moving it to. Moving a hedge or bush in your garden Once you have chosen your location, you are ready to start the moving process.

It was quite the workout moving a mature boxwood AND digging an adequate sized [filtered] for the equally mature roots to be relocated into. Even my new location ended up being a bust: I chose a spot close to my driveway so now it gets crushed by the snow we shovel despite our efforts to leave it exposed. A little planning goes a long way with boxwoods and this article is especially helpful. I should have known I was in over my head when I had a Pulaski axe in my hands. Back to story Comment on this project.

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