urgent gardening question

[Francesca]

I have an excavator in my yard right now and the opportunity to move some very large rhododendrons and azaleas..I live in NH and its nearly winter here..is it too late in the season to attempt to move them?

[spooky3]

1. yes too late, IMHO--moving them stresses them and their roots can't really

get settled in now unless you have several weeks of unseasonably warm weather.

[Francesca]

3. thank you I suspected it was too late. eom

[City of Mills]

2. NH is too cold

I wouldn't move any plants at this point, there will probably be 6 inches of snow on the ground by Thanksgiving.

[merci_me]

4. Have you been to the DU gardening forum?

I have no idea, but you might be able to get some input from the new DU discussion groups. There's one devoted to gardening.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=246

[Buzz Clik]

5. Time out!

What is your soil temperature?

Have you consulted someone in your community who actually knows what they are doing?

If the temperature is cold enough, this is a perfect time to move the them.

My advice -- consult an expert. Call a local landscaper.

[spooky3]

6. hey--no need for you to imply that those of us who answered her

do not know what we are talking about. Some of us have gardened with rhodos and azaleas (and other plants) for many years in conditions similar to hers, and/or have extensive formal training augmented by reading on our own. Just because advice is free doesn't make it worthless. Further, many "local landscapers" are unlicensed and inexperienced. I once had one ask me questions about roses because he said he knew I knew more than he did.

The current temperature of the soil is a minor consideration. What's more relevant is the weather conditions that normally can be expected in the next few weeks.

[Buzz Clik]

7. Well, no offense intended...

but I believe your advice was both free and wrong.

I strongly suggest that she consult a local expert.

"The current temperature of the soil is a minor consideration. What's more relevant is the weather conditions that normally can be expected in the next few weeks."

Um -- no. If the soil temperatures are low enough, then the timing is perfect unless they get extended warm temperatures, which would make it a horrible time to transplant.

At this time of year, the dormancy of deciduous plants is an advantage. You can move them at will if soil temps are low enough.

[spooky3]

8. the polite way to do it is to simply say your opinion differs from mine

and then make your suggestion that she pay a local expert. A county extension agent is more likely to be expert than a randomly selected landscaper.

[Buzz Clik]

9. LOL!

oh, ok.

[Francesca]

10. Hey thank you guys for your input and I enjoyed the back and forth eom