Yes, by all means, go dig them and plant them in your yard right away. I move iris all year long here in Georgia (zone 7/8). I moved some in January and Febuary and quite a few of them bloomed this Spring.

I am in Alaska and not New Mexico right now but I sure wish that I was there to help you! lol

i could sure use the help lol!! thanks!

You will need a shovel if they have not been dug in recent years. I trim the fans so the wind does not blow them over; remove any damaged leaves. Be sure the top of the rhizome gets sunlight but the roots are all in the soil.

Peggy

yea, as i typed trowel i was thinking that might be an understatement. it should be interesting. and not even sure where exactly I will put them.

Well the deed is done. I've got them all. They weren't as difficult to remove as I had thought they would be. Now I just have to figure out where to put them!