When is the best time to move

[johninblackpool]

Hi peeps

After recently getting my first allotment and now all our plans are sorted the previous occupier of the allotment put all the fruit bushes along a north facing fence.
My idea is to move them to the centre of the plot where i can put a fruit cage round them
When is the best time to move

Rhubarb
Current (not sure yet what they are Red, Black or White)
Gooseberry

We also have 2 plum trees, 2 apple trees & 2 of something that has no fruit on them yet ?? and was wanting to raise the ground level about 6" as this area drops away...Would it be a problem to just add the extra topsoil or would i have to remove the trees add the soil and then replace them.

Any reply's would be great

Cheers
john

ps i will also copy this to the fruit section

[jacob marley]

Doing things backwards the soil around the fruit tree should not be a problem .
The fruit bushes should be moved when they have shed there leaves late autumn /early winter and that should not be a problem .
The Rhubarb needs digging out in the autumn and leaving on the ground until it has had a frost on in that is what i would do good luck...jacob

[rustylady]

Any moving of fruit bushes and rhubarb should best be done when they are dormant, as Jacob says. As to increasing the level of soil round the fruit trees, it should be OK to just add soil but as I am a cautious type I think I would do it in two halves (3" and see how they go, and then another 3" the following year if you have no problems).

[maypril]

What do you plan to grow in the area where the fruit bushes were? At the end of the day, something has to grow in the shady area of your allotment. It might as well be the rhubarb/currant/gooseberries because they're pretty tolerant to shade. Sure they might produce better in the sun but they'll be taking up space that might be better served by a plant that really needs the sun.

Assuming they're established bushes and not ones put in last year by a one-year-wonder plot holder. Are you absolutely sure that you know better than the previous plot holder?

Have you asked around amongst other plot holders to see what they think of the idea? The previous plot holder may have put them there for very good reasons above those mentioned. Maybe local conditions (pests, disease, persistent weeds, wind, flooding) mean the place where they are now really is the best place for them in your specific allotment.

Quite honestly, if this is your first year with the plot, your time is much better spent in areas other than relocating existing plants. You'll have your work cut out for you in the year ahead. I'd wait until next year before moving things around, by then you'll have a better feel for conditions in your allotment.

[johninblackpool]

Thanks everyone

But yes I think Maypril is right I think I will wait to see how things go....
As Maypril says I have got my work cut out for me this year
With all the other jobs that need doing

Cheers