Tips for Dividing Perennials in the Fall

Dividing perennials is a great way to keep your plants looking healthy and expand on your perennial garden. While the type of root will be the main guide for how to divide perennials, there are other factors that come into play. Use these tips to successfully divide perennials and improve your perennial gardening skills.

How to Divide Perennials Tip #1: Timing & Weather
Dividing perennials in the Fall gives the plant more time to establish new roots. Unlike Spring perennial division, this allows your new perennial garden plants to take root, before heat sets in. Be sure to divide perennials six to eight weeks before frost.

How to Divide Perennials Tip #2: Divide Healthy Plants
For a better root system, it is best to divide a healthy plant. You will definitely need to divide perennials if they start to get the "donut " effect. This is when the center of the plant has less flowers, small leaves and weak stems. Eventually, the middle will even start turning brown. It is also a good rule of thumb, in perennial gardening, to divide perennials when they are out of room to grow.

How to Divide Perennials Tip #3: Offset Roots
A perennial has offset roots when small plants grow at the base of a larger plant. Perennial garden plants that have offset roots include hostas, asters and coneflowers. To divide perennials with offset roots, you will first snap or cut the plant sections apart. Make sure the divided perennial has good roots and at least three growing points.

How to Divide Perennials Tip #4: Surface Roots
Surface roots are roots that grow above or barely below the soil surface. Surface root plants, such as black-eyed Susans and creeping sedums, are often used in perennial gardening. These roots form new crowns and root when they reach open space or soil. Simply cut between stems, leaving a good portion of healthy root, when dividing perennials with surface roots.

How to Divide Perennials Tip #5: Underground Running Roots
Underground running roots are just that, roots that run under the ground. Perennial garden plants that boast this type of root are hardy geraniums and Japanese anemones. To divide perennials with these roots, you can cut away the suckers, from the main plant. Dividing perennials with underground roots can also be done by digging up the main plant and cutting away a forming sucker.

How to Divide Perennials Tip #6: Taproots
Two examples of perennials with taproots are butterfly weeds and Oriental poppies. You will need a knife while dividing perennials with taproots. Make sure the piece being cut has an eye, part of the taproot and some side roots. Then just make a clean cut down the root's length.

How to Divide Perennials Tip #7: Woody Roots
When stems lie on the surface or repeatedly covered in mulch, woody roots can form. Perennial garden plants that have woody roots include lavender and candytufts. All you have to do to divide perennials with woody roots, is cut in the middle of the rooted stem and main plant.

How to Divide Perennials Tip #8: Replenish Soil
In perennial gardening, you should return as much compost to the soil, as plants you take out. This will keep soil fertile for new plantings. Without this step, newly planted will not thrive.

How to Divide Perennials Tip #9: Mulch
After planing divided perennials, surround them with a layer of mulch. This will help keep soil temperature even. Mulching after dividing perennials also protects from frost.

How to Divide Perennials Tip #10: Holding Plants
If unable to immediately plant divided perennials, you will need to hold them. It is best to do this when there is 50% humidity and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Place divided perennials in a container. I then cover mine with newspaper, to prevent them from drying out. If divided perennials start to dry out, sprinkle water on the newspaper. Thoroughly soaking dried out roots will revive them for planting.

Source:
Personal Experience