I Would Love To Move Some Of My Established Knock…
Paula Asked
I would love to move some of my established Knock Out roses to a new location: can I move them now?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Paula: You will not kill your roses if you move them this time of the year. Ideally they should be moved in the spring before they put on any new growth, but moving them now is better than moving them during the summer or even in the fall; the sooner the better. That being said, it is always a good idea to take precautions to keep the plants from stressing out. Prepare the new planting area before digging up the existing roses and be ready to water them shortly after they are transplanted. Try to avoid moving them on a really windy or hot day. The less time they spend out of the ground the better. As you dig up your roses, it is really important to dig up as much soil as you can that surrounds the root system. Use a sharp spade and start digging farther away from the plant and work your way in, being careful not to damage any roots. Plant them in their new home just as deep as they were before, and make sure the roots have plenty of room to spread out. No need to fertilize when you transplant them since they need to become established in their new home with the nutrients that already exist. This makes for a healthier plant in the long run. Treat them like any new plantings in terms of water. If Mother Nature does not provide adequate moisture you will need to hand water, especially during the heat of the summer. Do not be surprised if they do not bloom as well this year. They need to use their energy to establish themselves in their new home.
