Among the staples of the garden are perennials, which come in countless gorgeous varieties. If you already have some that are flourishing, you can increase their beauty time and again, by dividing them. Besides saving you money and giving you more plants, this helps to prevent over-crowding in any area. Dividing perennials also keeps them looking fresh, because, as they continue to grow outward, their centers begin to wither.
Perennials that bloom in spring or early summer should be divided in the fall; and those that bloom in late summer or fall should be divided in the spring. Do your spring dividing when you can see a couple of inches of growth, and fall dividing early enough to give the roots time to establish themselves before winter sets in. It’s best to divide during cool weather when the ground is moist, and the day is overcast, so that the roots will not dry out too quickly. Always water the soil for a day or two before dividing, to make it easier to loosen.
To divide perennials that grow in clumps, you’ll need a spading fork, a sharp knife or spade, pruning shears, and a watering can. Inserting the fork at an angle, several inches outside of the perimeter of the top growth, use it to gently loosen the soil and carefully lift the plant, as you work your way around it.
When the clump comes free from the soil, pull the plant out of the ground, making sure that you get as much of the root ball as possible. Lightly shake off excess soil until the roots and crown are visible, then set the plant on a firm, flat surface, and slice through the crown with a knife, or a spade, if the plant is woody. Divide it into as many pieces as you wish, making sure that each section has at least one strong shoot. In some cases, you may even be able to divide it by hand.
Next, prune back any foliage that is damaged or dead, and trim the top if is too heavy for the new root ball to support it. Replant the new sections at the same depth as the original plant, and water them.
Even if you don’t have a lot of gardening experience, with some patience – and some impatiens – you can grow a stunning garden that’s rich in color, texture, and diversity. Once you have your backyard looking like a showplace, you’ll need a picnic table to equal its loveliness. For that, just go to AllPicnicTables.com, where you’ll find a variety of picnic tables that’s nearly as extensive as your choices of perennials.
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