Question
Hi Gill, I live in Northern BC and I would like to transplant one flower bed to a new one so that I can move my shed. I have several varieties of perennials in this flower bed including a blueberry bush and I am wondering if it is too late in August (23rd) to transplant them. I am worried that they wont have enough time to recover from the transplant before winter hits. I don't really want to wait till Spring as the ground will be soft and it will be difficult to move the shed at that time. I also don't want to store the bulbs...I read your steps about how to store them and I just cant commit to the care they may require.
Please help
Carrie Markwick


Answer
Hello Carrie

No, it's not too late to transplant your perennials - in fact, this is the perfect time, as the earth will still be warm from the summer and the plants will have plenty of time to put down good roots before the winter cold sets in.

For a little extra protection, you could put a good 2-3 inches of mulch over the crown of each plant as it dies down.  With any shrubs you move just put the mulch around the plant, extending it about 2 feet out.

Oh - and the bulbs will transplant OK now as well.

Gill