Here is a look at this week’s podcast: Dividing Perennials In The Fall – The Simple Keys To Flowerbed Success!. Just click on the episode button below to listen in.
You will also find the podcast notes below, along with links to all of the articles mentioned in the show.
Article Links:
How To Divide Perennials – The 7 Secrets To Success
3 Simple Keys To Weed Free Flowerbeds
Show Notes – Dividing Perennials In The Fall
Intro:
Fall is one of the best times of all to divide and transplant perennials in the landscape. Even more, dividing overgrown plants now will pay huge dividends next year in the performance of your flowerbeds.
Including
- healthier plants,
- more blooms
- fuller beds
- less mulch needed
- far less weeds in your beds.
STORY : Create a holding bed to use next year for new beds or to fill existing beds. Thousands of plants over the years at the farm, all for free
Secrets To Success When Dividing Perennials
Healthy Strong Plants
- Select healthy plants
- Large plants are easiest to divide
- Allows for plenty of root area for growth
Work When The Soil Is Not Saturated
- Overly wet soils can clump around roots
- makes it hard for them to breathe or send out new shoots
- Can’t take in nutrients
Dig Out The Entire Root Ball
- dig outside of the root zone by a few inches
- be careful not to damage roots
- don’t leaves portions behind
This weeks question comes from Dale from Kansas. Dale asks “I never know how much to divide off of my perennials when I am splitting them. What is the best way to know how much is enough?”
Split Plants From The Bottom
- the key to success is getting good root portions
- by turning the plants over, you can see the root structure and not just the foliage
- Use a sharp knife or shovel
- Hori – Hori works great for this!
Transplant Immediately
- Don’t wait for days to transplant, instead, plant right away!
- the faster you divide and plant, the more time the roots have to develop before winter
Planting Holes
- Dig holes to twice the circumference of the transplant and 1.5 times the depth
- Amend the planting holes with compost
- water the plants in well at the time of transplant
Don’t Fertilize
- fertilizing can not only cause late season growth, but make plants vulnerable to winter
- don’t fertilize any perennials after mid summer
Mulch Plants
- mulch as soon as you plant to conserve moisture
- helps to lessen transplant shock, in addition, helps against cool fall nights
Protect Plants For Winter
- Add more mulch to cover plants once they frost back
- helps protect from excessive freezing and thaws
- Not just brutally cold winters, but constant thawing and freezing
Conclusion / Wrap Up
And remember, whatever you do, find the fun in gardening, and grow something beautiful!
Until next week, Happy Gardening!