Mahoney's Garden Center / Perennials  / Dividing Perennials with Nancy

October 26, 2024

Dividing Perennials with Nancy

Dividing perennials in the fall is one of the easiest ways to keep your garden healthy, full, and thriving year after year. As plants mature, they can become crowded, leading to fewer blooms and less vigor. Dividing them gives each plant more space, encourages stronger growth, and even gives you extra plants to use elsewhere in the garden.

In this video, Nancy from Mahoney’s Falmouth walks you through the process step-by-step using lungwort (Pulmonaria) as an example—and her best advice is simple: be bold.

“Be bold!” says Nancy, as she demonstrates how to divide perennials in the fall. With just an old kitchen knife, compost, and Espoma Organic Bio-Tone to reduce transplant shock and help your newly divided plants establish quickly.

Why Divide Perennials in the Fall?

Fall is an ideal time to divide many perennials because:

  • The soil is still warm, encouraging root establishment
  • Cooler air temperatures reduce stress on plants
  • There’s less demand on top growth, so energy goes into roots
  • Plants have time to settle in before winter

By dividing in fall, you’re setting your garden up for a stronger, fuller display come spring.

Signs It’s Time to Divide

Not sure if your plant is ready? Look for these clues:

  • The center of the plant is thinning or dying out
  • Fewer or smaller blooms than usual
  • The clump has outgrown its space
  • Growth looks crowded or uneven

Lungwort, hostas, daylilies, and many other common perennials benefit from dividing every few years.

How to Divide Perennials (The Simple Way)

Nancy keeps it straightforward and approachable—no special tools required.

Step 1: Dig up the plant
Carefully lift the entire clump from the soil, trying to keep as much of the root system intact as possible.

Step 2: Split the clump
This is where Nancy’s advice comes in: be bold. Don’t be afraid to cut into the plant. Using a sturdy knife or spade, divide the clump into smaller sections, each with healthy roots and shoots.

Step 3: Replant right away
Place your divisions back into the garden at the same depth they were growing before. Mix compost into the soil and incorporate Espoma Organic Bio-Tone Starter Plus at planting time to support root development and reduce transplant stress.

Step 4: Water thoroughly
Give them a deep watering to help settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.

Dividing Lungwort (Pulmonaria)

Lungwort is a great candidate for division and a perfect example of how forgiving this process can be. It naturally forms clumps over time, and dividing it helps rejuvenate the plant while giving you more to work with.

In the video, Nancy demonstrates just how simple it is—cutting through the root mass with confidence and showing that you don’t need to be delicate to be successful.

Aftercare Tips for Success

Once your perennials are divided and replanted:

  • Keep soil consistently moist until the ground freezes
  • Add a layer of mulch to help regulate soil temperature
  • Avoid fertilizing late in the season—focus on root establishment instead
  • Mark newly divided plants so you remember their locations in spring

A Little Effort Now, Big Rewards Later

Dividing perennials might feel intimidating at first, but it’s one of the most rewarding tasks in the garden. With just a little effort in the fall, you’ll be rewarded with healthier plants, more blooms, and even more to plant next season.

And remember—don’t overthink it. As Nancy says, be bold.