When can I move my ground cover & small trees?

[FJ and G]

I'm building a massive (30' long) concrete archway bridge and need to transplant some sedums, thyme, Alberta Spruce, juniper (Virginia cedar, small), and a mugu pine for the new right of way. I'm zone 7a and the temperatures are in the 40s mostly, some light freezing, this week.

Or, do I need to postpone plans until March?

Thanks

[Rene Schweitzer]

You can move the groundcovers without a problem. Just make sure to water them thoroughly (even if it freezes). They can easily "freeze dry" otherwise.

Not sure about the conifers. If it were me, I would leave them until the spring, but maybe someone else has an opinion.

[FJ and G]

Thanks, Rene!

 

Different topic: 

I hate to be such a nuisance with questions but just 1 follow-on to the first question. I read in a past GRR that Bob Treat thins his conifers (juniper I think) when they get too tall vice trimming them. I've tried my hand at trimming junipers and have made a horrible mess of them so they look downright dumpy. I'm thinking let em grow 12 feet and chop them down and grow more (leaving the stummps). I could even process the junipers into ties as they are a type of cedar.

 

Has anyone else done this or thought of this. 

[altterrain]

I'd wait until spring for transplanting everything. If you gotta transplant keep them well watered and give them a few inches of mulch (shredded leaves work well). The groundcovers could be divided in spring with the new growth.

When it comes to pruning you're too tall evergreens, you can try cutting down the main leader at a spot just above a branch that can become the new leader. Then thin out some of the other branches. It may work, may not. I don't think you could use the wood for ties as it is a pretty coarse grain and won't cut well that small.

 -Brian

[FJ and G]

thanks; guess I'll just wait till spring; plenty of other things to do; thanks

[Anonymous]

If you want you could pot everything and move indoors, now you will need a tub under them all to catch the excess water and make sure they get sun light and 4 month firtlizer (SP) (has a flow spout at top, can't remember name). Clay pots suck up water, not real good for plant. They have to be glazed to not soak it up. Enjoy

[FJ and G]

Toad, thanks for some tips. I have so many projects I'm doing I'm going to await early spring to transplant. Meanwhile...

 

Cardboard templates. I’m doing this for 2 reasons. Each arch weighs over 100 pounds, plus, there are plants and trees in the way! The large sewer pipe will become a mine tunnel.






 

[Anonymous]

FJ & G, is that pipe tall enought to ballast and track with good clearance? I remember seeing some once and thought it would not fit g gauge?! You messn with my head again?????

[FJ and G]

Hi Toad,

The pipe will be buried about 2 feet lower and covered with dirt. An O gauge tram will run through it. I'm in process of converting HO locomotives to O gauge mine lokies (locomotives in mine speak).

 

Hope you have some nice holidays. 

[Anonymous]

I had some O gauge, HO running track mining stuff on ePay up for sell awhile back!!!! See you could have got them free. Even had the motorized engine all made by Ozark Minitures.

Just ask, never know what ole Toad might have FJ & G!

Toad