Q. Peter, With water restrictions a likelihood later this summer, would it be a bad idea to move plants and trees in the garden? I have a weeping cherry I planned to move and need to thin (or whatever the technical term is) some day lilies. Would it be better to wait until next year? Bob Farrell – DuPont, WA
A. Regardless of our water conditions this summer the best time to move your weeping cherry tree is when it is dormant. Since it has already leafed out now would not be an ideal time to transplant it. It would be better to wait until it drops its leaves in the fall and then move it. It will then have the entire winter and spring to recover before the summer. Although Daylilies could be divided in spring (March-April) I think it is better to divide them in the fall (September- October). To divide them you dig up the clump and either cut them into sections or pull the root system apart by hand – or a combination of both. Make sure to leave enough root system with each section you divide. Both the basic black Hori Hori Knife and the Stainless Steel Hori Hori Knife are very useful when dividing perennials.