Free is my very favorite variety of azalea!

I do know that the best time to move them is when dormant which is now, I do not fertilize except just a bit just after they flower and mine are in varying degrees of part shade to sunny high shade depending on variety. I'm sure some of the much more knowledgeable fine folks on this board can help you much more than I. I bet it would help to know if they were native/deciduous (do they have leaves now?) or evergreen varieties.

Congrats on the score! Good luck!

You can move azaleas any time. The easiest time is when they are dormant, which is right now. They have shallow roots so you don't have to dig very deep, but you do need to maintain the integrity of the root ball. Ideally, you would root prune the plants a couple months before you move them. This means, going around the plants with a spade and digging into the ground to cut off any roots that go outside the main root ball. This causes the roots to form a denser root ball that is easier to move. If you can't do the root pruning in advance, then be extra careful. Be sure to plant them in a place that is very well drained. You will need to keep them watered until they get established in their new homes. However if they get too wet they will drown. That is why you need very good drainage. It is easiest if you plant them in mounds. That helps provide good drainage. If your soil is well drained, just be careful. Try to find out which plants will take full sun and which will bloom in partial shade if you can. Other wise you may have plants in the sun that look awful and plants in the shade that don't bloom. I would avoid any high nitrogen fertilizer. Perhaps a very small amount of Hollytone would be OK. A high nitrogen fertilizer like Miracid will stress them too much.

Good luck and enjoy your new plants.

Here is a link that might be useful: How to transplant rhododendrons and azaleas.

Their shallow rooting habit makes rhododendrons and azaleas among the easiest of shrubs to move. You can move them any time the ground is not frozen or they are not in active growth including while in bloom. (The period of active growth is the time immediately following bloom when the new foliage buds are opening)

You can assume the roots extend out as far as the branches reach, but you can safely take a somewhat smaller root ball. Aim for a root ball equal in diameter to 2/3 the plants height if possible.

Undercut the roots, rock the plant to its side, and slide a tarp or heavy cardboard underneath, then drag rather than lift by the stem to your truck (the weight of the roots and soil could cause a lot of root breakage). Be careful when replanting not to place the azaleas any deeper than they were growing in their original location. Water in well, mulch.

I HOPE FOR YOUR GRANDFATHER'S SAKE THAT THE NEW NEIGHBOR IS NOT GOING TO REPLACE THEM WITH YEWS.

I'm new to this forum, Jessie, but what a wonderful opportunity ... go for it! After all, what will happen to those azaleas if you don't take them?

Our long-time neighbor passed away and the new folks who bought the property tore out a long border (60-80 feet) of mixed azaleas his late wife had collected over the years. They were large, healthy, and a delight every spring. How I wish they'd been as thoughtful as your grandfather's dear neighbor and at least offered them to anyone who wanted to dig them up.

Best of luck!

I have a similar situation so I will only contribute but not add my own questions. I'm writing from Orlando, FL where a cold front is coming in tomorrow. It will push the Highs down to the low 70's. Brrr!
I transplanted 4 gardenias and one big azalea this week. One thing I've noticed in this posting is that
Jessie is in SE Georgia. Although your azaleas in z6 and z7 might me dormant, I'm guessing Jessie's aren't. The azalea I moved is blooming! Sure, it's not the best time to move it but like Jessie, the opportunity was there.
You all are great.

Oh, how delighted I'd be with the low 70's ... 38 here! LOL

(Sorry, off topic, I know, but I'm so impatient for winter to end and couldn't help myself.)

Diane

I got them!! About killed me to do it! I didnt realize how big they were! The smallest one was 5X5 ft. We had to pull them up with a truck! It was hard work, but worth it. My yard is going to be beautiful!

Good for you. Really soak them once a week until they are established.

Depending on the temperatures, soil, type of mulch...once per week the first few weeks may not be enough, I'd be checking them daily if it isn't raining.

Years ago I had an elderly neighbor who brought home plants from all over the world (back when it was easier to do so), and her trick for preventing transplant shock was to leave a hose trickling at the base of a freshly watered in, transplanted shrub for several days. Everything thrived for her.

It is best to move them in late fall but this is fine too. I take out azaleas and give to my children this time of year and have also gotten them from mother in years past this time of year.