Move a young deciduous shrub

Dig up and move a young deciduous shrub to a better position in the garden now rather than have it in the wrong place until it has grown so big that you can’t change your mind. March is a good time to do this as the plant will still be dormant.

Choose a day when the soil is dry and avoid windy weather to protect the shrub from drying winds, which can cause water loss even when there are no leaves. Prepare the new planting hole so that the shrub has the minimum time out of the ground. Add organic matter and a handful of bonemeal to encourage root growth. Water the base of the hole before planting too, particularly if your soil is very free-draining.

Large shrubs or small trees may need extra staking until the roots have grown out – it’s important that the roots are not rocked by the branches being moved in the wind. Give it extra water and mulch for the first year to make sure it grows well.

Dig at least 20cm away from the outer stems, digging up as much of the rootball as possible