Hi Tui, I need to relocate citrus trees - lemon and lime. When is the best time of the year to do this and what preparation do I need to do before and after? Thanks.

Hi Tanya, success will depend upon how established the trees are. The best time to move or transplant established trees is in winter through to early spring when plants aren't actively growing and there is plenty of moisture in the soil, transplanting at this time enables plants to develop new roots and re-establish before summer. Ideally, the best way to move them is to 'wrench' around the trees by digging to a spade depth around the dripline of the tree (which is where the foliage extends out to). Do this two to four weeks before you want to move the trees as it will help reduce transplant shock and stimulate new root growth. Prior to moving your trees, apply Tui Seaweed Plant tonic at a rate of 70ml per 9L watering can weekly. Once moved, cut back foliage by approximately one third to stop fresh new growth from wilting.

It is getting a bit late in the season now to move plants, and is probably worth waiting until autumn and winter to move the trees, but if you are prepared to water and nurture the trees through summer you can still move these trees. Dig around the dripline and take as much of the root ball as is manageable to help reduce transplant shock. Before moving, dig the new planting hole so that the trees can be dropped straight in. Plant using Tui Citrus and Fruit mix which contains a 6 month controlled release fertiliser, seaweed extract, Saturaid wetting agent to channel water to the roots. Make sure the trees are regularly watered, at least 3 times a week, depending upon the weather, continue with the seaweed plant tonic after planting, apply weekly, once the trees are planted mulch around them to help conserve soil moisture, Tui Mulch & Feed is the perfect mix to do this. Regards, The Tui Team.