For beginning and sophisticated gardeners—choice annuals, herbs and hard-to-get perennials from select GTA nurseries and members own gardens; previously owned and gently used horticultural/gardening items we like to call "Green" Elephants—all at the best prices in town! Bring your questions to our experts!

As you can see from the photos this is
great event for the entire community!

TEN TIPS
for Dividing Perennials
for the Hort Plant Fair

1. You can dig up the whole plant and divide it out of the ground, or you can chop pieces off the edge of a large established clump, using a spade.

2. Once you have the plant, or pieces of it, out of the ground, you may be able to tease the roots apart by hand.  If you are dealing with a large, woody or tightly woven root system, you may have to separate the roots with a spade, sharp knife, secateurs, loppers, or a small tree saw.  Two garden forks placed back to back in the root ball can also be used to pry apart roots.

3. Larger pieces of root will thrive better than smaller ones. However, try to avoid potting up very large divisions (or whole plants) in one or two-gallon pots – they can be difficult for people to carry home.  And, the more divisions, the better.  I favour 4 to 6 inch pots.  

4. Try to fit the root to the pot. Ideally there should be a ½” to 3/4 “ space all around the root ball.  If necessary, trim the root (especially very large roots), to fit your available pot, using secateurs. 

5. Make sure each division has some foliage (or shoots) and some roots.

6. Avoid leaving any roots hanging over the edge of the pot

7. If dividing irises or other rhizomatous plants, use a sharp knife to cut rhizomes into pieces containing two to three buds.  Allow them to air dry for an hour, to heal wounds before repotting.  

8. Use a lightweight potting soil, or compost, or a mixture of these, (possibly with a small amount of sand added) to fill the pot.  Fill the space around the root ball with soil mixture and firm the division well into the pot.  Don’t fill the pot with soil from your garden as this can make for a very heavy pot, and can leave a big hole in your garden. The combination of potting soil and compost also encourages the root to establish more readily. 

9. Once potted up, water divisions thoroughly and place in a sheltered spot—out of the sun and away from wind, which can dry out newly dug plants. Keep an eye on them as water as required, especially if the weather turns hot and sunny. 

10. It is not necessary to fertilize your new divisions; in fact it is probably better if you don’t.  Plants are best fertilized after they have been re-planted in their new home.