Advice on moving

Moving the fruit shouldn't be a problem as long as you do it when they are still dormant. No idea about asparagus - gurgle searches seem a bit divided as to whether it's worth it.

You might want to check what your tenancy says about removal of topsoil. Mine has a clause to say that this is a no-no, which will make it interesting to shift plants out when I get around to moving.

There was a thread on here recently on the same subject which got opinions quite divided!

Some people felt that it really wasn't on to leave the next tenant with great big holes in the soil where you'd removed big rootballs.  As others have said, it's possibly against your tenancy to remove soil - and great big rootballs would come under that description in my view.

Some people said go for it, who cares what impact you have on the next tenant, you've gone by then and look after number one!

You can probably guess which side of the fence I was sitting on!!

How old are the plants?  If they are really well established and you inherited them in the first place, then I might consider getting some new plants anyway, which will establish quickly and be varieties I have more choice over.

Irrespective of the above, I don't think asparagus will transplant well if they've been in for several years.

Also, leave it until the last possible moment to dig them up unless you're going to transplant them into big pots in advance of the move.

With blackcurrants and possibly some others might you be better taking cuttings anyway?  Less weight to move, fresh young plants, less risk of damage/shock.

Thestens

Most council contracts run April to April so it is not likely that someone will jump onto your plot as you have already paid for it.

There is no requirement to leave the next tenant with 'no holes'. Most new folk just mess around and then give up anyway. Why waste plants?

I believe that asparagus can be moved before the last frost, but in anticipation of it, if that makes sense? You really just don't want  to plant on a frozen day.

Other fruits, this is a perfect time.

Paddy

Our contracts run according to the calendar year, so I don't think you can presume what is standard and certainly what is the case for thestens.  That being said, if thestens is paid up to the end of the tenancy period then nobody else will go on until he gives it up.

As for no requirement not to leave holes, that isn't what I said.  What I did say is that many tenancies stipulate no removal of soil.  If you leave socking great holes from a rootball, then of course you are removing soil.

I have known plots become almost denuded of their topsoil where there has been systematic removal of soil through poor weeding practice and/or removal of plants.

Our contracts run according to the calendar year, so I don't think you can presume what is standard and certainly what is the case for thestens.  That being said, if thestens is paid up to the end of the tenancy period then nobody else will go on until he gives it up.

As for no requirement not to leave holes, that isn't what I said.  What I did say is that many tenancies stipulate no removal of soil.  If you leave socking great holes from a rootball, then of course you are removing soil.

I have known plots become almost denuded of their topsoil where there has been systematic removal of soil through poor weeding practice and/or removal of plants.

I always seem to put my foot in it here. I meant to say, as you point out that the tenancy period is 'safe'. Again as you say contracts are different, we have no mention of removal of soil either. I apologise for not stipulating that agreements are different, I thought that 'most' was fair.

BP