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Perennials are a favorite type of garden plant for many gardens
as they will bloom for several seasons without replanting.
Perhaps one of the best qualities of perennials is that you can
divide them and make more plants for free! Dividing your
perennials periodically is important as it will keep them from
getting overcrowded and help insure healthy lush plants.
Many perennials can be divided easily, but this does not hold
try for every variety. In general, division is easiest with
perennials that grow in clumps or ones with an expanding root
mass. Perennials which stem from single taproot typically cannot
be divided but can be duplicated by using root cuttings or seeds.
It is important to divide the plant at a time when the plant is
most likely to be receptive to this procedure. Fr plants that
come up in spring and summer, the best time to divide them is in
the fall Perennials that bloom in the fall or late summer should
be divided in the spring.
You can divide perennials with a minimum of preparation. If you
will be replanting the divisions, you should have already
decided on the new area and prepared the soil to accept the new
plants. If you are dividing to give the plants to a family
member or friend, have an appropriate receptacle handy to put
the division in.
Loosen the soil, gently, around the plant clump that you plan to
divide. You can use a spading fork to scrape up the dirt and be
sure not to damage any parts of the plant. The clump should then
be sliced with a garden trowel and divided into four parts. Make
sure your trowel is sharp so you get a clean cut, otherwise your
plants could become damaged. Break up the four sections by hand
into four inche by four inche sections. Plant the small sections
immediately.
When you are dividing plants, make sure you thoroughly wet the
soil a couple of days before you do the division. This will make
it easier to dig up the clump for division. Also, you should add
compost or some other organic material to the soil both around
the original plant and in the soil where the new divisions will
be planted. This will give the plants the nutrition they need
and help them to grow strong in their new area of the garden.
Once the new plants are in place, make sure you water thoroughly
and fertilize appropriately.
Planning your perennial plantings and divisions can help you
grow your garden without having to spend extra money. All it
takes is a little bit of time and patience and you can have a
large full garden on even a small budget!
About the author:
Lee Dobbins writes for Backyard Garden
And Patio where you can get more great gardening and
landscaping tips.
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