When your perennials look like they need plastic surgery (floppy, small flowers and irregular growth), it could mean that it’s time to divide and replant. Not only is this a wonderful way to get free plants but it also keeps the perennials healthy and strong by controlling their size and numbers. Rejuvenation guaranteed!

Early spring is an excellent time to divide fall blooming perennials. The plants are still dormant and it’s well before the flowering season and hot summer weather. The plant will have plenty of time to put its energy into growing new leaves and roots, and the whole growing season to recover from the trauma of being divided. However, before dividing plants it’s best to check with your local garden supplier as there are species (such as Baby’s Breath) that don’t like being divided, whereas others (such as Chrysanthemums, Asters and Shasta Daisies) need to be divided every 1-3 years.

It’s best to wait for a cloudy day with some light rain to do the dividing. Water them well for around a day or two beforehand to reduce the shock to their root system and have flower borders ready for planting the new divisions so that they are out of the ground for as short a time as possible. If the plant has a lot of foliage, it should be pruned before being divided.

You need to lift the plant out of the ground by first digging around the plant and then lifting the entire clump out of the soil. Shake off loose soil, trying to keep the earth around the root ball in one piece.

What comes next depends on the root system. If the plant can be pulled apart by hand – good, but other varieties have root systems that are so tangled you will need to use more drastic methods, such as prying them apart with a garden spade or cutting them apart with shears. Divide the plants in such a way that each division has a viable root system and a few new shoots.

Once the plant is divided, cut away any old, woody bits in the center of the plant, and trim dead roots and foliage. When you replant the new division, water it well so that the new plant can settle in to its new location and grow healthy and strong. Divisions should be planted at the same depth as the parent plant.

And that’s it. Dividing perennials really is as simple as we’ve described here. Your perennials will give beautiful blooms in flowering season and you will have lots of plants to give away.

Mulching is as basic as mowing the lawn. It’s not only good for the garden but it’s also eco-friendly and, as tougher regulations on water conservation are applied by local authorities, it’s a great way to cut down on watering and weeding – and it feeds the plants too.

Mulch is made up of lots of different organic or inorganic materials. Organic mulch forms a protective layer over the soil that gradually decomposes, enriching the soil with essential minerals. Inorganic mulch improves drainage and it looks ornamental, too. It’s also a wonderful way to recycle garden or household trash. The best time to mulch is early spring, after the snow and winter rains are over and the soil is beginning to warm up. It’s also before the weeds have had time to wake up from their winter slumber.

When used properly, mulch can help prevent weeds from taking over your flower beds. It keeps the soil moist and well drained and provides soil “climate control” by keep soil warm in winter and cool in summer. It increases soil fertility through natural nutrients and prevents plant diseases from spreading. But perhaps the most important benefit of mulch for those planning to grow plants from seed is that it protects the tender seedlings from heaving (literally being sucked out of the soil) through the freezing / thawing spring weather patterns. Mulched roots are also healthier and more plentiful because the mulch keeps precious moisture around the root ball. We can only say “Mulch Matters”.

What goes into mulch? Just about anything you have around the home or garden. Organic mulch can include straw, grass cuttings, leaves or bits of bark, anything that decomposes and brings nutrients. But remember that mulch isn’t compost or fertilizer nor does it decompose so it can be decorative as well as useful. Try using shells, rocks, pebbles, or even crushed CD-Roms!

Mulch Do’s and Don’ts

Do make sure the soil is moist and weed free before you start mulching.

Do apply around 2-2.5 inches of mulch

Do apply mulch to newly planted seedlings

Don’t apply mulch close to walls or buildings. Termites can use it as a convenient bridge across termite treatments.

Don’t mulch right up against the stems of plants or tree trunks. Wet mulch will rot the stems.

Don’t mulch too late in the fall. The mulch will turn into a winter snack for rodents and a warm, cosy home for bugs