How to Divide Plants

How to Divide Plants Many perennial plants grow in a pattern that becomes a constantly widening clump. Eventually you will need to decide when is the right time to divide this plant creating many new plants along the way. The plant itself offers a good gauge as to when the time has come to divide. When the clump starts to die off in the center, leaving an outer ring of growth, it is time to divide.

Division of plants keeps them alive and healthy and blooming more. The best time to divide plants depends on what type of plant it is and how fast it grows. While an open centered clump is a good indicator that it is time to divide, you don't have to wait until your plant starts to resemble a doughnut. Look for clumping plants that have doubled or tripled in size in three to five years. Any clump that is outgrowing its space in the garden or has already become overgrown is also an excellent choice to be divided.

Spring is typically the best season for plant division. As plants are growing leaves, they are less established and can better tolerate having their roots shaken up a bit and still manage to feed the top of the plant without too much distress. Some plants fare better when divided at the beginning of fall. It is best to do a little research to see what your particular plant species prefers and will tolerate better.

While dividing perennials is good for the plants down the road, the process is still a shock to their system.

Immersing the roots in a good long soaking, at least 24 hours prior to dividing, helps to minimize shock and maximize your best odds for success. When you uproot any plant, the plant’s ability to feed itself and receive hydration is affected. Well hydrated roots help reduce the risk for trauma.

When dividing a plant that is heavy with top growth, cut back about one-third of the leaves in order to diminish the workload on, the plant roots’ and maintain the foliage

growth. When you are ready to divide your plant, be sure you have already dug the new hole for the new divided plant. This spares the plant any extra root stress by allowing it to get back into the ground quickly.

It is easiest to divide a plant by digging up the entire clump, then breaking it apart once it is fully out of the ground. Do your best to keep the root ball intact with dirt amassed around it. If you soaked the plant first to protect the roots, it is likely the dirt will adhere to the roots.

A preferred method to divide the plant is to use two pitchforks. Wedge the pitchforks into the center of the root ball with the back of the pitchforks facing toward one another. Interlink the tines of the forks and start to pull away from one another. When you are successful, it is likely you will hear a cracking sound of the roots and plant splitting apart. Divide as many times as necessary depending on how large the plant is, using the same method repeated.