raised beds and established bushes

[greencat]

I'm not sure where to put this question, so sorry if it's in the wrong place.

When we moved into our house we planted a load of quick thorn bushes at the back and down the side we have gooseberrys, blackcurrents and redcurrents. However I would now really like to put a large raised bed in spanning the back fence. I really don't want to dig all of those buushes up just to put them 6" higher.Can I just bury the bottom 6" in soil, or will it rot? I know some plants will just send out more roots. I am also wondering about the fruit bushes?Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Natalie

[boundtothesoil]

With respect to the gooseberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants, I'd risk burying the bottom of the bushes with 6 inches of soil, especially if they are large. All three grow well from cuttings, so are able to produce roots from buried stems. Obviously there is a risk of some kind of fungal infection and you may lose the overall shape of the bush (i.e. maybe bury the short trunk on the gooseberries), ending up with a number of main branches coming straight out of the soil. But if each of these produce roots, you can dig them up next winter and multiply up the number of bushes you have. It's technically too late now to take a few 6-9 inch cuttings from them, just as an insurance against failure, but I would be tempted to give it a go.

[greencat]

Thanks boundtothe soil.I think I will risk it.