Dividing Perennials: A Step-by-Step Guide

Hi friends, we’re so glad that you’re here for our October blog! We hope you are enjoying the beauty of the changing seasons as we welcome glorious Fall! What’s not to love, with the brilliant leaves, crisp cool air, and the perfect opportunity to refresh your garden beds. Dividing perennials in the fall is one of the best ways to ensure your plants stay healthy and vigorous. Whether you're looking to manage overgrown plants, propagate new ones, or simply rejuvenate your garden, fall division can be a game-changer. Read on for our step by step guide to success.

Why Divide Perennials in the Fall?

Optimal Growing Conditions: Fall provides cooler temperatures and ample moisture, which helps reduce transplant shock. The soil is still warm enough to encourage new root growth, while the cooler air temperatures minimize stress on the plants.

Spring Prep: Dividing perennials in the fall allows them to establish their roots before winter sets in. This means they'll be ready to burst forth with new growth in the spring, giving you a head start on the growing season.

Prevent Overcrowding: Over time, perennials can become overcrowded, leading to diminished blooms and overall health. Dividing them helps maintain their vigor and promotes better flowering.

When to Divide Perennials

The ideal time to divide perennials is typically 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost. This timing allows the plants to settle into their new positions before winter. However, be mindful of your local climate and adjust the timing accordingly. In warmer regions, the division process can often be done later into the fall.

Perennials That Benefit Most from Fall Division

• Daylilies (Hemerocallis): These are typically divided every 3-5 years to ensure they remain vigorous and produce abundant blooms.
• Hostas: Hostas can become quite large and benefit from division to manage their size and encourage fresh growth.
• Bearded Irises (Iris germanica): Irises should be divided every 2-3 years to prevent overcrowding and maintain blooming performance.
• Peonies: While peonies can be divided, they generally only need to be done every 5-10 years. Fall is an excellent time to do so, giving them a head start for the following spring.

How to Divide Perennials: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare Your Tools: You’ll need a garden spade or shovel, a garden fork, and possibly a knife for more delicate divisions. Make sure your tools are clean and sharp to ensure smooth cuts and minimize damage to the plants.

2. Water the Plants: A day or two before you plan to divide, give your perennials a good soaking. This will make it easier to lift them out of the soil and help reduce stress on the plants.

3. Lift the Plants: Gently dig around the perimeter of the plant, working your way under the root system. Carefully lift the entire root ball from the soil. For larger plants, you might need to use a garden fork to pry the roots up.

4. Divide the Root Ball: Once you have the root ball out of the ground, shake off excess soil to expose the roots. Using your hands or a sharp knife, divide the root ball into sections. Each section should have a healthy portion of roots and at least one growth bud or crown. For larger plants, you may need to use the knife to cut through tougher roots.

5. Select a Vole King basket for proactive burrowing rodent protection. If your perennials were already Vole King protected, you can use the same size basket for each of your new plantings. If not, read more about selecting the appropriate size here: https://www.voleking.com/blogs/vole-king-news/choosing-the-right-size-vole-king-baskets-for-your-planting-needs

Once you have your Vole King baskets, insert the root ball, roll the wire mesh up the root ball to the crown of the plant (where the roots meet the shoots), and you’re ready to plant! We recommend wearing gloves for this step just to be safe (you’re probably already wearing gardening gloves anyway!).

6. Replant or Re-pot: Replant the divided sections immediately in their new locations or pots. Prepare the new planting holes with compost or manure to enrich the soil. Place the Vole King protected divisions at the same depth they were previously growing, fill in with soil, and water thoroughly. Be sure to keep 1-2” of wire mesh exposed above ground to prevent voles from burrowing in from the top - especially if you live in an area that experiences winter snow cover.

7. Care for Newly Divided Plants: After replanting, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulch around the plants (one to two inches is all you need) to help retain moisture and protect the roots over the winter. Monitor the plants for signs of stress or disease and address any issues promptly.

Dividing perennials in the fall is a simple yet effective way to keep your garden looking its best. Not only does it help manage plant size and improve blooms, but it also provides an opportunity to spread the beauty of your garden to new areas of your yard - or share with a friend! With a bit of preparation and care, you’ll set your perennials up for a vibrant and healthy growing season ahead. So grab your tools, embrace the fall weather, and give your garden the refresh it deserves!

We can’t wait to see your garden masterpieces!  Please tag us @vole__king and #voleking on Social Media and show us your Vole King protected perennials!  We may even feature your photos in a future post!  Happy Planting!