Doing a Flit with Fruit Trees, Fruit Bushes, Onions and Garlic

[mogs]

I have this week been offered an alternative plot on the allotments, which is larger than my existing one and on the much coveted 'sunny side'. My current plot is partially shaded by large trees - hence the coveting!

The new plot needs lots of work and will need double digging (46 square metres) to get it into good shape. It looks waterlogged in places, but I'm thinking this is a result of a lot of rain over the past few weeks and compacted soil - whilst I'm not phased by the hard work ahead (and I'm praying for dry days to make the soil safe/easier to work) - I will need to move apple, plum and cherry trees, as well as strawberries, rhubarb, currants and gooseberries down to the new plot once sorted.

I only acquired my first plot last August and the fruit was planted from container plants last autumn and has been doing really well, with a credible amount of fruit this year. I also have some summer and autumn raspberries which were bare rooted that I'd like to take. They were also planted at the same time.

Any advice on making sure they do as well as they can during and after the move?

Finally, I also have some garlic and onions that I'd like to take that are about 4-6 inches high (but I'm willing to sacrifice these if you think it would be foolish to move them!)

I've ummed and aahed for a couple of weeks over taking the new plot, especially since mine is sorted and bonny looking from loads of hard work last year, but the sunny and open aspect of the new plot is very appealing - what do you expert grapes think? I have until next Tuesday to make my mind up!

[Jardiniere]

I've recently moved all my rhubarb, 2 tiny pear trees as well as a number of tiny gooseberryand blackcurrant bushes (last year's cuttings) and am just waiting for space to move a number of raspberries... no way of telling how well any of them will do until the spring!
My advice is to take as much soil with the roots as you can.
As far as the onions are concerned - its not too late to put more in once your moved ...i don't know how succesful transplanting would be????

[Jeanied]

I think you may just about get away with it - it is all fairly recently planted - if it had been 2 or 3 years with your permanent stuff then less likely to succeed. Onions - if it doesn't work, then it is not exactly a disaster as you can always put some sets in early next year.

[mogs]

I'm beginning to get worried that I'm obsessing about moving onions - 85p a pound and like you say can always plant some new ones - reminds me of the time I went on an all inclusive cruise and people left in a morning to visit the sites in port and then insisted on coming all the way back for lunch - they'd paid for it, so they were going to have it - my totally tight wadded, British traits are getting bigger by the day - pinch pennies save pounds - me Dad will be sooooo proud!

[zazen999]

All alliums can be moved; it checks their growth but strangely it then restarts them a few weeks later once the roots establish.

[Snadger]

I even took a row of autumn planted broad beans with me when I changed plots and they all survived!