On 10 Sep, 16:19, wrote:
On 10 Sep, 08:55, "

wrote:
I cleared a seriously overgrown bed of irises yesterday - anyone
having done this will know quite what a task it is to dig up all the
rhizomes ! A pick axe was required on one clump !
My query is that I have a number of shrubs in pots which I've
accumulated over the past year - can I just plant them out now having
cleared the ground fully, or should I let the ground lie fallow for
the winter.

Plant them now, it's a good time. Not sure why you want to leave the
ground over winter. I've planted lots of shrubs and trees in the past
at this time of year - it's the best time for it and container grown
shrubs can be planted any time during the year too. To add to what has
been said, you must make a hole 2/3 time the size of the root ball and
as pointed out fill that hole with compost and om to give the shrubs a
great start before winter arrives. Try to prize out a few compacted
roots so that the plant get a chance to root well before winter. Also
plant at the same level of when they were in the pot. Take your time
filling in the soil around your shrubs to avoid air pockets. Finally
tidy your shrubs too by cuting out all dead and damaged branches and
stragly longer stems. HTH

Many thanks guys - I'll plead ignorance !

Rob