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Moving perennials into a temporary spot til next spring #873338

Asked June 16, 2024, 4:43 PM EDT

We are putting an addition on our Como Park home starting in early Sept. I need to move a lot perennials and some small shrubs before construction starts but will not have their 'permanent' locations available to plant in til next spring. So I need advice about how to overwinter these plants til I can plant in the ground in spring. Our lot is small and construction will require the available open yard for excavation dirt, equipment, etc. I plan to completely redo the back landscaping next spring - remove all turf, bring in soil amendments for the compacted soil where turf was, etc. I would love to be able to replant many of my current old perennial friends. I have a few ideas but would love to pick the brain of someone more knowledgeable about my plants' tolerances than I am.

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Your best bet would be to have a friend or neighbor plant them in their yard temporarily.  You can put the perennials in pots and sink the pot deeply into the soil.  Shrubs could also be potted and put into the soil.  Nurseries do this with leftover shrubs.  However it would be best to cover them or deeply mulch them in case we don’t get enough snow to insulate them from extreme temperatures. You could also keep them in pots in the garage if the temperature is cold but not subzero.  See the following website for specifics:
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/overwintering-unplanted-trees-shrubs-and-perennials
MaryKay, Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor Replied June 18, 2024, 5:23 PM EDT

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