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Bergenia

thefostersthefosters Posts: 78
in Problem solving
I've inherited  huge patch of bergenia and I need to remove a large portion. When is the best time to remove the plants which I believe have very strong roots and any suggestions as to how to go about it would be welcome
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Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 26,970
    Do you want to save them or get rid?
    If you want to get rid if them, any time when the soil is wet enough will be fine and you could leave any ones you want to keep.

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • thefostersthefosters Posts: 78
    I really want to get rid of most of them. We haven't had rain for weeks so the soil is very dry and I had thought that that might make lifting them easier.
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,215
    Hello thefosters. You are right about the dry soil making the task easier - I dug out a huge golden bamboo last weekend and if it had been damp I'd have NEVER managed it - but bergenias are not too hard to dig out and you could do it now.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,350
    I think it depends on your soil. Much of mine is solid


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,215
    Thats vey true nutcutlet. Some of the soil in parts of my garden has set like a brick with this dry weather. Luckily where the dratted bamboo was it was quite friable and with good leverage it only took two days to dig it all out.
    Bear that in mind thefosters
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • thefostersthefosters Posts: 78
    Many thanks for the advice. The soil is still workable so I guess getting them out is my task for the weekend!!!
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,215
    Good luck with that. I'm sure it will not be as difficult as you envisaged.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • thefostersthefosters Posts: 78
    I've done it!! When I saw the roots were about 1" in diameter I thought I won't manage this but they weren't deep rooted and came away easily in the dry soil. Also found out that the plants have been in for at least 15 years so I think I need to put something back into the soil before I replant. The area is about 5 feet by 4 feet square, what should I use and when. Thanks again
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,215
    Well done you! Thats excellent. I would just add a general fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone or Growmore (other fertilisers are available) to put back some nutrients into the soil.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • thefostersthefosters Posts: 78
    Thanks. My husband always did the heavy jobs around the garden but I am finding that if I know what to do, it may take me longer, but I get there in the end.
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