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Moving?
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Message 1.Â
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Friday, 20th January 2012
We may be moving later this year - a lot, of course, depends on the housing market as to how marketable our house is and whether or not we can find a house that we like.
We are down-sizing (fashionable) but I just cannot contemplate any sort of property that doesn't have a reasonable garden. The garden that we have is rather large, and although I can happily cope at the moment, I am realistically looking ahead, and thinking that we should move before we really, really need to.
So - this is the conundrum: do I pot up my not-truly-irreplacible-but-much-loved-plants in preparation for taking them with us, or simply take the view that I can, if necessary, buy plants etc etc as required?
btw I am in the SW so it is a benign area for transplanting, as it were, but there are some things that I simply could never, ever NOT take - a simple Ice Plant that was my mum's, for example. But other things? Hmmmm.
I'd appreciate differing points of view. Otherwise, I can see myself potting stuff up and moving with a veritable garden-in-a-pot.
Oh - I just don't know. Help!
PHJ -
Message 2
Posted by chrisbucks (U14300604) on Friday, 20th January 2012
I would leave the plants in situ, and take a risk when you know your plans for definite. Last year - actually late 2010 - we decided to knock down our garage and build an extension, new bathroom etc, and widen the drive for the garageless car.
In a complete fit of impatience, but completely in character, my wife went out the next day and dug up and potted most of the plants in the front garden. 15 months later, we're not sure we can afford the work, no builder has been commissioned, and the plants are now slowly declining in their pots. -
Message 3
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Friday, 20th January 2012
Thanks chrisbucks - a reality check if ever there was one!
I guess I'm like your wife - wanting to hedge my bets, as it were, and take as much as I can with me.
On the other hand, I can let someone else have the benefit of my planting over the years - and also benefit from my mistakes!
That winter-flowering clematis, for example (can't remember which, exactly, without going out with a torch to see if I can find the remnants of the label
). Great idea on paper. Bad news in fact - the flowers are small, insignificant and pendular (ie you can't see the colour of the petals no matter how wonderfully rich the shade of red/burgundy that they are unless you are up close). And I'm not. Up-close, that is, at this time of year.
On the other hand, they will benefit from my ericaceous bed - a lovely mature bed of rhodos and azaleas under a magnolia stellata, whose crown I raised to improve the under-planting.
I just hope that a new owner will love the garden as much as I do, and develop it to their own personality without destroying the structure.
PHJ -
Message 4
Posted by kate1123 (U14824475) on Friday, 20th January 2012
When I think about moving house the garden sends me into a bit of a panic, you have to reconcile favourites, sentimental plants and good doers, with the thought of it being loved or ignored.
I have no practical suggestions but I did read this the other day.
It is the bottom query.
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Message 5
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Friday, 20th January 2012
Thak you kate - yes, as a Telegraph reader I did see the Helen Yemm item. (Incidentally, I do hold her in very high regard, being a practical gardenener beyond the fashonably high-profile TV "personalities" - but that's another discussion!)
I think I gather from the replies is that I mustn't let sentiment over-ride good sense. Which I suppose I already knew - but wanted confirmation. I will take a couple of plants (like mum's Ice Plant) that have emotional attachment. But others are not irreplaceable. And who knows? We may buy a property from a gardener who, even as I type, is agonising over their own planting scheme. Fingers crossed!
PHJ -
Message 6
Posted by Palaisglide (U3102587) on Friday, 20th January 2012
Hello Posh, having moved several times I only selected and took two or three very special plants with me.
Make a list then slowly select the plant you cannot leave for reasons that have meaning to you.
Then prepare the clean pots you will need large or small plus the filling soil then wait. Once you have signed up and have a moving date then pot up the plants you are taking and prepare them for moving on.
The last move was so fast I had to get a move on there was a battle for the house and the day we signed I had no idea who had got it.
All gardens are different and plants do not always transfer and make a show so you can then plan to have a vastly changed outlook.
Good Luck "oh" and make sure the new owner has a list of the plants you are taking before they buy, they will not want to be faced with empty holes in the beds.
Frank. -
Message 7
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Friday, 20th January 2012
Why can't you just take cuttings and sow seeds of your treasures, as and when is best for the plant and question, and then have your cake and eat it? Leave the plants behind for the next owner but take clones with you when you go to a new garden.
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Message 8
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Friday, 20th January 2012
Hi Frank
Your advice, as always, is sound. There will always be plants that have huge sentimental attachments, and these I will ensure get the best chance of a transfer.
I think my general aim is to pot things up while dormant (ie now) and split and pot some that I would like, but which are not vital (emotionally at least).
Everything is up in the air at the moment, since OH's father, in a care home, is frail with all that that entails. But if we are able to move, it will be within one to two hours' journey, but which will give us more amenities than this village, with better access to transport. It's a lot to take into account, and I know the rational reasons, but am finding it hard to come to terms with emotionally.
I guess that my garden, which has my heart buried in it somewhere is tugging at me. Oh, well - I'll deal with it!
thanks for your input. I'll keep you up-dated - though I suspect it will take many months.
btw I will ensure that any potential buyer is made aware that anything in a pot will not be staying!
PHJ -
Message 9
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Friday, 20th January 2012
thanks Obelixx
Yes - I do plan to try to take some cuttings etc of special plants. I have a few clematis which, for example, I would love to keep. Once they have flowered, I shall take cuttings (I've done it successfully previously) and hope that I can find a good place for them.
I don't want to leave "holes" in the garden for new owners. I think I am just looking for support on the board for a move that I know makes sense, but which I would rather not have to make.
PHJ
Things I do NOT want: a bungalow. (stairs are a form of exercise); A "low-maintenace" gravelled/decked area - or, much more scarily - one property that I saw on the internet - artificial turf. (No, no, no); a garden that is overlooked; An "individual" garden on a slope (for which read ski-slope); no space for a greenhouse. It's not much to ask, is it???? -
Message 10
Posted by Palaisglide (U3102587) on Friday, 20th January 2012
Posh,
The saying is all good things come to an end, and I always added new places new adventures new possibilities.
My last move was from a large house that became an empty nest, we were rattling around so we started to look.
Simple really, detached, big enough garden, facing the right direction and room for a much bigger greenhouse, and we looked and we looked. I got to a point where I just did not want to move.
One day we came on a new build area not very far from where we lived and the show Bungalow (yes Bungalow I get my exercise in the garden) had that day been put on the market, Joan fell in love with the house and me with the garden and that was it, signed sealed and delivered.
We had gone out with fixed intentions and then changed direction out of frustration hitting the jack pot been here since, the sorrow being Joan no longer here to share it with me.
As you say you have wishes and some set rules for your needs, well imagine it as a blanc canvas that you can adapt and colour to your own likes, in other words go outside your fixed lines, you never know what you will find and end up with.
You have made a decision for your own reasons so chin up and step out there and look at even the least obvious places, one never knows where the gold is buried.
Frank. -
Message 11
Posted by bookertoo (U3655866) on Saturday, 21st January 2012
Until 12 years or so ago, we had several years when moving every year was necessary. We moved all plants in pots, sinks and troughs everywhere we went. Movers were wonderful and treated the pots with great respect. This is different from potting up plants from your garden I know, but my point is that it can be done - especially with special things like your mums ice plant. Once you have decided what is special, take cuttings maybe, but wait to dig up until you know where you are going and when.
It can be wonderful starting n a new to you garden, but taking some of the familiar and well loved with you is also a kind thing to the spirit and the heart.
The result of all our moving with pots is that, now we are settled, I still grow things in vast numbers of pots, around 400 or so at present, as well as in the garden - so be warned, it might just become addictive. -
Message 12
Posted by hypercharleyfarley (U7444019) on Saturday, 21st January 2012
Hi PHJ - when you eventually put your current home on the market it would be a good idea to explain to viewers/prospective purchasers that some of the plants would be removed - you could tie a coloured tag or label on them so as to avoid any difficulty at a later stage.
As far as your Don't Wants are concerned - I'd go along with Frank's view that you could well end up buying something which wasn't on your original list of requirements. It often happens like that! The most important thing really is Location Location Location! After all, you can always remove decking & other stuff - that shouldn't in itself be a deal-breaker if everything else is what you're looking for - a bit like some of the fixtures & fittings, which might not be to your taste. "A less-than-perfect house, but in the perfect spot" is probably what most people ought to consider - after all, you can always make alterations to a property and its garden, but you can't change where it actually is. Cheers! Ma.
p.s. I work for an estate agent, & show people round properties virtually every day of the week, so am well aware of the problems! Glad I'm staying put - for now at least......................! -
Message 13
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Saturday, 21st January 2012
Thank you all for your input. There's a lot to think about, but wise words are telling me that I have to keep an open mind on the sort of property that we end up with.
I know what I would prefer - but if the location is right, then I guess most things can be changed to suit.
I looked on the internet at one property - it ticked a lot of boxes, but the current owners had clearly never seen the "how to sell your house using neutral tones" type of TV programme - each room was colour-themed from bright orange to fuchsia! Superficial I know, but a bit daunting and harder to see the merits of the place beyond the strong colours. (Oh, and I forgot to mention the lime green!)
I know that there is no such thing as a perfect property - but fingers crossed for one of best fit, as it were.
And, yes - a blank canvas to colour in to my choosing in the garden. I'm beginning to feel a bit more postive.
And there won't be the 400 pots to move - but a reasonable number so I can take my favourite stuff.
Thanks again.
PHJ -
Message 14
Posted by hypercharleyfarley (U7444019) on Saturday, 21st January 2012
Hello again - glad it all helps a bit. A word of caution though - don't rely on t'internet's pics (or even estate agents' sales brochures) to give you a proper idea of what a property's really like. I have "discussions" with our office manager ref the lens he uses for photographs. Makes gardens look as big as playing fields.......... and rooms as big as a tennis court.
Ma. -
Message 15
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Saturday, 21st January 2012
Yes Ma - I've already sussed that one out! I look at the floor plans and read the dimensions, and compare it with our own rooms. That gives me a sense of the space available (which often is - not a lot!
PHJ -
Message 16
Posted by muddy_boots (U14019512) on Saturday, 21st January 2012
I moved a year ago from a basement flat with a tiny patio to a bungalow with a lovely garden. I told the people who were buying my property that I would be taking all my pots with me, and they responded that they were not at all 'into gardening' anyway and the patio would just be used for storing their bikes. I went out and bought some cheap plastic tubs to transport the plants in as they were in big heavy pots. Seemed like a good idea at the time until I stupidly left the other half to move the plants from the heavy pots into the plastic ones. I didn't think I would have to explain that he needed to drill some holes in the bottom...
So of course the day before we moved we had the most almighty downpour which left all the plants floating around like some kind of bog garden installation!
Not much I could do the day before we left apart from go out every half hour and try to tip as much water out as possible.
A few hours after moving into the new place my other half was wondering why I was out in the dark (although I'm sure the air was somewhat blue) removing the plants from their plunge pool pots and into the thankfully empty rasied vegetable bed.
Our mattress was left in the rain for 5 minutes and got soaked but I was more worried about the plants.
Just thought I would share that with you!
Good luck with the search.
Regards. -
Message 17
Posted by jo4eyes (U13654107) on Sunday, 22nd January 2012
Hi Posh.
Up until last Spring I was expecting to have to move, but now we're not, well not in the immediate future.
I'd put lots of things into large pots/ flower buckets ready to take. Now they are all back in the ground either here or at friend's houses.
With the change in decision came some sense.... all I would take now is
1.a crown of Pops' rhubarb, my Grandfather's that I have a photo of from the 30s & it's come via my Mum, his DIL, & several gardens, hers & mine
2. Mum's phlox- unknown variety but it's always been around.
The rest I would leave......oh but what about my collection of Ashwood hellebores? Only if any new garden was suitable for them. J. -
Message 18
Posted by Joe_the_Gardener (U3478064) on Sunday, 22nd January 2012
Good lesson learnt, jo4. It's a bit like emptying a deceased relative's house. You can either fill your garage with boxes of stuff that might come in handy or might be valuable (and which will still be in the boxes six years later) or you can content yourself by keeping three or four well-loved and meaningful items to treasure.
The other thing is never to go back out of curiosity after you've left a garden. I've had several customers who've sold up and the new owners have torn everything to pieces and started again. We only borrow gardens and houses. -
Message 19
Posted by Goldilocks (U2169760) on Monday, 23rd January 2012
About three years before I moved to my present home, I realised that I would be moving at some time, so started taking seeds/ cuttings / divisions of my favourite plants, such as Sorbus Joseph Rock, which I had planted shortly after my son Joe was born, and cuttings of a treasured holly and mahonia that my OH had in her old garden. And many more besides, such as special hardy geraniums that I had spent years searching for. I had also got the bug for sowing seeds collected (not by me!) from rhododendrons in China, and other unusual shrubs / trees sourced through the RHS seedbank.
My garden was very small at the time, so I acquired a plot at the local allotments, and lined all my babies out, mixed in with veggies so as not to upset the traditionalists too much. The planned house move took longer than I had anticipated, so seedlings / plantlets had to be lifted, respaced, divided, whatever, and I had to take over two more adjacent allotments to accommodate them. It was a labour of love!
When the time came to move, it was December, with snow on the ground, and it took around five trips in a van to shift everything. I had managed to hoard lots and lots of empty pots in anticipation, and my new house looked like a nursery for the next few months. But now, six years on, I look around my garden at healthy young trees that were full of berries last autumn, a Wintersweet that we bought as seed from Chilterns that has, just this month, produced masses of wonderful fragrant flowers, and many descendants of plants we loved in our past lives. It was well worth the effort, though I am not sure I could do it again! -
Message 20
Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Sunday, 19th February 2012
Sorry people - not ignoring you, but have been a bit distracted for the past few weeks!
Anyway - many thanks for all your input. And, yes, Goldilocks, I am in total awe of your dedication!
I have now decided on a much scaled down "must have" list, which will be potted in readiness. The rest will be left for the new people to enjoy.
Thanks again. I'll update things as and when!
PHJ -
Message 21
Posted by Summerchild (U14187397) on Sunday, 19th February 2012
Hi PJH,
Having gone on quite a bit on this board about moving and leaving my beloved garden, I can relate to parts of what everyone has said to you in their replies.
For me, though, the house was the clincher; perfect and ready to move into. The small courtyard at the back and the small patch at the front were a great disappointment, but also a challenge to try a new style of gardening.
Yes I miss my trees. Yes I brought plenty of pots with me. Yes some did not thrive. Yes I am still experimenting. Yes I still buy new and exciting plants.
I enjoyed filling the narrow beds in the front with colour last spring and summer and shall this year. I still enjoy having something in flower at every time of year, on a much smaller scale now, in my courtyard. The blackbirds chuck soil out of a planter now, instead of turning over the leaves under the spreading old Viburnum Bodnantese. The bluetits do acrobatics on the branches of my small apple tree instead of on the rose growing through my old white lilac. I do not see woodpeckers or hares or pheasant in my garden, but I have lovely neighbours and I can hear the children playing in the park.
As someone said, "the past is another country". One gets over the homesickness and begins to enjoy the new surroundings.
Best of all, I have time for friends and family, and wine shared in a sunny courtyard tastes every bit as good as when we used to sit under the old plum tree.
Very best wishes to you in your search,
Summer
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