If you really want the spring bulbs, I would go then. The others will still be there, and you can, if you feel so inclined, leave a bit to grow up and fill in the holes you would be leaving. Moving bulbs 'in the green' is certainly doable, just don't let them dry out, and have your holes relatively planned out before you go and dig. Also, be aware that you will have to dig a LOT deeper than you might think, in order to get as much of the roots as possible. If you are feeling generous, a few bags of potting soil to fill in the holes you will be leaving might allow you to come back again to get what you couldn't do in one day.

You can spend the winter planning your beds and deciding where things will go, as well as getting any bigger trees or shrubs you want, and letting them have the winter to get going. Doing a lasagna bed approach to your new beds, taking advantage of all the fallen leaves, will give you a big head start come spring. Just be aware that your imagined so-vast-beds will fill up in a hurry, come planting time!! You can still plant spring flowering bulbs until Dec., so you don't have to rack your brains to remember where all your old goodies are, and not feel too bad if you miss something.

Welcome back and may all your dreams come true in your new space. You are much better off now that you have your own space to do as you please without any stresses. The new garden will bring much joy and give you countless hours spent doing what matters most. If you see anything on my list that you want, lmk.

Here is a link that might be useful: trade list

Glad you are back. It is so exciting to fill new beds. I'm jealous of your space. I'm to the point something has to go to bring something new in. I'd look into wintersowing and the seed exchange to promote your "habit". Shannon

Scott, if you're not familiar with winter sowing, you might want to check out the site here. It's a wonderful, easy way to start plants from seed. Plus, it's very inexpensive!

You definitely don't want to buy a riding lawn mower--

Thanks for the support everyone.

Most of my spring bulbs were salvaged from old homesites being converted to commercial use, an old farmhouse we (my bank) repossesed and some roadside finds so I fully understand the process of digging deep to get those bulbs out. Now, before anyone blesses me out about roadside finds, I am talking about remote stetches of rural highway, not grabbing something someone deliberatly planted. I have received some harsh critisim here in the past only to watch roadside discoveries I couldn't get to be destroyed forever as road crews scrapped, paved over or dug out and hauled off dirt, plants, bulbs, roots and all. I make it a habit of sharing my roadside finds to promote continuing the lifeline of the plants/bulbs I find.

I'll check out the winter sowing site but I have had zero success with growing/starting seeds indoors. They get up about two inches then just droop over. There are four varieties of peppers/chilis that the current owner says re-seed and come back year after year. Jalepeno, tabasco and two others I can't remember the names of. I am going to try to harvest a few seeds this winter and see about relocating the pepper bed. There is a kitchen garden to be planned and sited, an existing stand of bananas that will have to be relocated, a line of rose-of-sharon that do nothing for the overall design theme, wisteria that needs taming, etc., etc., etc. Not to mention the surprises waiting for me this spring when the existing bulbs start popping up. The house is 55 years old so I know there must be some hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.

As for the riding lawnmower, I've only had one once before when I owned a 3/4 acre homesite in Florida. this property is .57 acres but has more open space/lawn. It's mostly St. Augustine and very healthy. Mowing with a 21 inch push mower is not going to be fun.

It's a great time, very exciting. And this time around, I get to do it all MY WAY without having to appease anyone else. I can't wait to close on the house and get started!

Did I mention there were interior renovations too? No idle hands here.

Scott

Good for you! Never leave your beloved flowers....you worked too hard to get them in the first place.....

good morning world! I am back too! been doing the bad back thing, but feeling groovy and ready to play in my garden!! happydance!

Hi Scott, I'm Mary t--new to this forum. When I was living in Fargo I dug up a really neat plant--golden vetch or golden pea?? anyhow--the place it was growing was part of a new construction development. That development ended up eating up thousands of acres of prairie land. Which became mainly little squares of grass with houses on them. I also used to propagate the wild woodland flowers that grew in my woods back in my home in Wisconsin--never depleted a thing--if anything I increased what was already there.

My dad once dug up several huge old lilac bushes from a property that was about to be plowed under for an airport extension. (no easy feat!) He had it put in his house sale contract that I was allowed to come to the house and dig up a few trees.
I think Roadside finds are great--under the right circumstances--guilt free freebies. I also think plants are a huge investment in time and money and care and it makes sense to include them in your legal business.

Hopefully if you are just careful to give your ex lots of advance warning and work around her convenience she will let you come in spring AND in fall. Tip-- be respectful and quiet and don't leave footprints. (and if you have kids ask for cuttings when they come visit. ;-) Maryt