Most people start thinking about their summer garden in early spring; starting seeds, spreading mulch and trimming outdoors and stocking up on any essentials at your local garden center. But did you know that you can start prepping next summer’s garden in the fall? Specifically, this can be done by dividing your perennials during fall, with the ultimate goal of achieving even bigger, more beautiful blooms next year.
Why Is It a Good Idea to Divide Perennials?
Johanna Oosterwyk, Manager of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s instructional D.C. Smith Greenhouse, says that in general, fall is a great time for planting divided perennials, since the weather is cooler and there is usually plenty of rain to help plants establish. “This applies to digging up and dividing existing plants as well as planting new ones,” she adds.
What Perennials Can You Divide?
When dividing perennials, keep in mind that you should only be dividing perennials that bloom during spring and summer, not fall. Oosterwyk says that perfect perennials for dividing include hostas, daisies, helenium, daylilies, astilbe and other spring/early summer bloomers.
“A good rule of thumb is to transplant opposite the bloom,” she further explains. “So fall is the best time to transplant spring blooming perennials like peonies and daisies.”
Steps to Divide Perennials in Fall
First of all, Oosterwyk says that you should avoid dividing perennials while they are in bloom, “as it adds stress to plants that are already putting their energy into flowering.”
But if they’re not blooming and you’re in the clear, you can begin by digging up the plant and keeping as much of the root intact as possible…