Daffodils

[jackie j]

On the 2nd lottie that we got recently are a lot of daffs at the bottom of the plot along the fence, its very compacted and full of weeds and I have been trying to clear it,, but I really need to get in with a fork rather than a hand tool as I have been doing. Would it be better to dig them all up and replant in the autumn or carry on with what I have been doing. I would like to add some Dahlia's and other flowers on this patch as well as some more fruit trees to go with the apple thats already there and in the corner is what looks like a pussy willow but its too close to the corner post should I move that as well.

[Nicos]

To be honest- I think it's a wee bit early to be digging the daffs up- the leaves need to die back a bit first

Can you yank out the worse weeds for the next 3-4 weeks and then dig them up?

Alternatively can you transfer the plants into a tub with plenty of soil and allow them to die back gradually???

[Bigmallly]

Was gonna suggest the same as Nic, lift the bulbs with the leaves in tact & with a good ball of soil round them. When the leaves have died naturally put the bulbs in sawdust or similar & replant in the autumn/winter.

[elsie-scot]

perfect question to ask, as I need to move daffodils in my new garden, was thinking of digging up and putting in a few tubs and replanting when I know exactly where they will be rehomed and good to see someone else agrees with that idea

[Alison]

It's a good time to move daffs as you can see where they are but they do need to go back in the soil. Dig them up, plant them somewhere more sensible and they'll do well next year, especially if you make sure you dehead and give them a good top dressing of organic matter.

[jackie j]

Thanks, the soil, if you can call it that is very dry, very hard and a b****r to dig so doing it with a small hand tool will take me till next spring lol. will leave them as long as I can before digging them yp. They stopped flowering a while back.

[sagegreen]

It's a good time to move daffs as you can see where they are but they do need to go back in the soil. Dig them up, plant them somewhere more sensible and they'll do well next year, especially if you make sure you dehead and give them a good top dressing of organic matter.

Alison's right; if you have a weed problem and want to use the space for other plants, fork the daff's out (carefully) now and either plant them straightaway in a new position, or place in a bucket and cover the bulbs with old dry compost until the autumn.