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Hi everyone, I am fairy new to growing your own, and certainly to allotments and fruit bushes. In my allotment, which I took over in march, there is a big gooseberry bush towards the bottom end. The problem is, it is intertwined and tangled with a redcurrant and sloe. They are literally growing on top of each other. I don't really want to lose any of them, and would like to move them. What is the best way to do this? Should I let them fruit first and move later in the year? Any advice greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Best time to move them will be in the late autumn, through the winter when they are dormant. Sloe are very vigorous - are you sure you want to keep it? -
Move them only during the dormant season (when they are leafless). If you dig up a plant with leaves on it you have a high risk of killing it. Not that it's impossible if you're skilful (or lucky) but I don't recommend it unless there really is no other option - such as you're moving home and must take them with you.
You could also 'tidy them up' a bit in autumn when the leaves are yellow - remove up to one-third of their mass - and use the prunings for cuttings; just poke some pieces at least as big as a pencil into the ground and they'll grow roots next year and turn into replacement bushes after several years (currants have very high success rates from cuttings and gooseberries are fairly successful too).
Some people report that taking some cuttings now and putting into a vase will get baby currant and gooseberry plants started which you can pot-up or transplant in a few months time..Comment
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Yes I had heard that about sloe and no I don't want to keep that. I would like to keep the gooseberry and redcurrant though. Should I prune back first then move? Thanks.Comment
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