Moving Heirloom Fruit/Flower Bushes

Question

We are in the process of building a new farmhouse on our 140-year-old family farm. Unfortunately, the best site for the new house is in the old ‘orchard’ area of the farm. I would like to save as many of the heirloom bushes (lilac, crabapple, and raspberries) and plants (asparagus, rhubarb, Concord grapes) as I can by moving them or propagating a new plant from the old one. Do you have any suggestions about how I can do this? We will be breaking ground in May and will probably not be ready for landscaping until mid-fall.

Answer 1

If transplanting them, get up as much of the root system and surrounding soil as possible. This article will help to reduce shock: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/learn-how-to-avoid-and-repair-transplant-shock-in-plants.htm

To propagate various plants, these articles should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/how-to-root-cuttings-from-various-shrubs-bushes-and-trees.htm