How can I move my Iris plants safely?

I have 12 beautiful purple iris plants which have been established for two years. I got them when we first moved in to our first home, and was just learning about gardening (still am learning!) and I didn't realize how tall they would get. Now they are blocking some shorter plants behind them and I want to move them to a better spot. I also may decide not to use some of them. So - can someone walk me through how to dig them up and replant them without killing them? Also, if I decide not to use some of them, is there a way to save the rhizomes and give them to my mom or sister to plant in their yards? More info: I live in New Mexico, they are purple bearded, they didn't bloom the first year but are going crazy this year. They're a beautiful color and each flower stalk is making two or three flowers. I don't want to lose them! Thanks for any advice.

How can I move my Iris plants safely?
Iris rhizomes are very very hardy they transplant very well I would not move any of them unless they are done blooming. Digging up the rhizomes with a garden fork works best for transplanting because it does not tear up the roots as much as a shovel and basically pull them up and move them to the spot that you want if the rhizomes is pretty large you might want to split it in half and plant the two different pieces the same way you pulled them out (I always move my Irises with the leaves on because it helps me balance them in the garden I don't know if this is a good way to do this but I have never had any problem with them coming back)If you want to give some to a family member just put some dirt in a pot and put the flower in their some times they die back but they start pushing new growth out just as fast. But very hardy and very easy to move around the flower bed.
Reply:The best thing to do is wait until they have finished blooming and have dried out. Go from the side and loosen the dirt around the outsides of the rhizomes. You want to use a fork and go underneath the rhizome ( they are quite shallow, 2-3 inches deep should be good) and gently lift them trying not to break the roots. You can separate some of the rhizomes so you don't have a big clump and throw away any spent ones. Take off the dried leaves until only about 2-3 remain. You can cut these to about 6 inches. They can then be stored for close to a year in a dry,dark place (box with newspaper in a garage) Buy the next year you will see the green leaves beginning to grow.When you replant them make a little mound for the roots to settle around and then cover the sides but leave some of the top of the rhizome showing.





If you want to move them now just dig deep and hope for the best. They are pretty strong plants I'm sure most would survive.. You could leave a few behind "just in case" though until you know the others have made it.
Reply:you carefully take them out and then put them in the area required. they arejust like every other plant. just hold the bottom.