The project is about to begin — about two weeks earlier than expected, but hopefully that means it will be done two weeks sooner.
Of course, this has led to a frenzy around the Chicken Ranch. The first order of business was to get the girls (our six beautiful hens) moved to a new, but temporary, location in the yard. As you may recall, the “ranch” is a whopping .16 acres – so our options are limited! With this accomplished last night, I am about to take on the task of up-rooting about 75 tulip and daffodils which are on the verge of blooming. I’m not sure what my success rate will be at this state of growth, but I’m going to give it a try. I guess another option is to leave them, let them be trampled and dig them out in the fall. One issue in doing that is that most are exactly planted where the new, double “garden door” to the garage will be located. Ugh!
I also will be moving my chives (no big deal here – these plants have been in just about every local in the yard and most came from our previous home!); and I have to decide if I want to save the lavender or just put some new plants in later. Oh, and this all has to be done by Thursday (which is tomorrow!).
I have plants in the front yard that also need to be healed in somewhere — Alliums — which, like the tulips, are about to bloom and really look great this year! If anyone has suggestions/tips or has ever replanted bulbs as they are blooming — please let me know!
I’m sure I’ll have some dramatic images to share tomorrow as the shed comes down (and we’re totally exposed to the alley); the hot tub takes a hike and the garden becomes a giant tractor pit!
Hi Candace,
Just noticed your garden is located nearby my Spokane Valley plot. It’s nice to meet a close neighbor! Us Inland Northwestern bloggers are few and far between.
Good luck transplanting the bulbs. – VW
It looks like this is going to be a major project. My husband loves projects that start with a big piece of equipment or excavator. Have fun and takes lots of pics to share with us of the progress!
I don’t really have any tricks about moving bulbs as they’re about to bloom, but I have moved quite a few regardless. They didn’t look all that fabulous for a few days after the move, but they recovered well enough. Early spring is a good time to divide bulbs from what I’ve read, and early spring is about when they’re growing and blooming. I think you’re supposed to do it because then they have all of the growing season to recover from the move and bulk up before winter.
Anyway!!! Good luck!
I agree, I think your bulbs will mostly make it fine after the move.
Good luck to you though, with all you have to do!