Sometimes we have to throw away old plants that are no longer productive to make room for new, more fertile plants. Aged shrubs will also look unsightly. So, it is better to clean it as soon as possible because the golden age is over. This article will give you advice on the most efficient way to clean or move large bushes.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Using the Excavation Method
Step 1. Choose the right time to dig up a large bush
It would be wise if you clean the large bushes in the garden during the bird's season when the birds are not making nests so as not to disturb the wildlife.
- If you live in a subtropical area, do some cleaning in the fall or winter to avoid this.
- Usually, the soil will be easier to excavate when it is dry. So, don't do it after a heavy rain.
Step 2. Gather the necessary tools and equipment
Sharp cuttings and a small saw will make cleaning the bush easier. Remember, a sharp blade is safer than a blunt one.
- A shovel with a rounded blade with a tapered tip will make it easier to dig the soil. Meanwhile, blencong or balincong is useful for cutting roots.
- Wear appropriate clothing, including thick gloves and sturdy boots.
Step 3. Cut the bushes until the stump is visible
Use shears to trim the bush until only the stump remains.
- This will make it easier for you to dig out the root tissue and pull it out of the soil. This is an important step to complete bush cleaning.
- Leaving the roots in the soil will make the plant grow back.
Step 4. Dig a small trench around the stump to remove the root tissue
Use a round-bladed shovel to dig a small trench around the stump. Be careful not to dig near water or power lines.
Check with the relevant agency about water and electricity lines nearby
Step 5. Pull the root network
Dig up and cut off as many roots as possible with a shovel or hammer to make it easier to pull them out of the soil.
- You only need to remove the root core and main root to prevent the bush from growing back, but remove as much of the remaining roots as possible to make room for the next planting.
- Shake the stump to loosen the soil from the roots and make it easier to pull out.
Step 6. Remove the excavated bushes
Once the bush is cut and the root tissue has been excavated, remove the plant. If the bush is small enough, you can compost it. Otherwise, you can burn it.
Do not compost diseased plant parts. Just burn it or throw it in the trash to prevent spreading the infection to other plants
Step 7. Dig up the remaining roots and add them to the compost
Once the large root tissue has been removed, use a fork or shovel to scoop out as much of the remaining root as possible. The chopping will help the roots to rot naturally in the soil.
You can also add rotted manure or compost so that the new plants that will be planted there will benefit
Part 2 of 3: Using Alternative Methods
Step 1. Pull the bush out of the ground using a chain
Another way that doesn't require a lot of digging is to tie a chain around the stump and pull it up using a jack or tow truck.
- Dig up the soil a little with a hammer to loosen the roots and ease your work.
- You must know the location of the water and electricity lines so as not to damage them.
Step 2. Kill the bush using chemicals
Cut off most of the above-ground plants and leave the stump as short as possible. Purchase a glyphosate-based chemical for killing shrubs from a plant store.
- This remedy should be applied as soon as possible after the bush is pruned and will not work on old stumps that have been idle in the garden for years. Handle with care and follow the instructions for use.
- Apply the medicine to the stump when the plant is not in its growing season and producing a lot of sap. You may have to drill a hole in the stump to pour the medicine into it.
- Be patient as the plant stump will take a while to die. So, the area can not be planted immediately.
Step 3. Find out if anyone is interested in picking up the bush
Even if you want to throw it away, there may be someone nearby who wants to have it.
- You can check with your neighbors or locals to find out who might be interested in owning the plant and get ready to dig it up and pick it up.
- Take good bush photos. You might be surprised to find out that a friend is interested in keeping it.
Part 3 of 3: Moving the Bush
Step 1. Remove the bush during the rainy season
Prepare the soil in the new location well, by mixing in a lot of weathered manure or compost. If possible, do this step long before the bush is dug up. Remove the bush for transplanting at the beginning of the rainy season or the end of the dry season, before new shoots grow.
Step 2. Prepare the hole in the new location before the bush is dug from its original place
This is an important step because later the bush can be removed immediately to prevent the roots from stressing or drying out.
- In order to dig a new hole, you will need to know approximately how large the current root network of the bush is. That way, the hole dug is big enough to accommodate it. To find the width of the root, take a tape measure and mark a point on the main stem 15 cm above the soil surface.
- Measure the diameter of the rod at this point. Multiply by 10 to get the root diameter. Once you know that, you can dig a hole of the same or larger diameter.
Step 3. Water the bush before transplanting
If your soil is sandy, water the bush with plenty of water 2 or 3 days before transplanting. Watering will help maintain root mass as it is dug up.
Step 4. Unload the root network
Dig up the roots by hoeing the shovel with your back to the plant. After that, the bush can be moved to a new location by placing it on an old cloth or tarp that you can drag across the yard.
- If you don't have time to replant it as soon as possible, the branches of the bush should be tied up to protect it. Start at the bottom and wrap in a spiral motion to tie the branches to the main trunk.
- Compress the roots as much as possible, but do not damage the plant because the branches are tied too tightly.
Step 5. Replant
Insert the roots of the bush into the hole in the new location and bury it with soil. Do not compress the soil with your feet as this can damage the roots. Just water the bush well until it is in a stable position.
