Fall in the Canadian garden

There is more to come out there folks, so don't fold up your tent and huddle down into the couch for the winter just yet... in fact some regions of Canada have 6 to 8 weeks of reasonable gardening weather to go.

This is fall in the Canadian garden and it is time to think about digging and dividing the perennials. My Hosta were planted just 4 short years ago and in that time some have become monsters. I have been digging them up and dividing them. It is easy and fun. Especially when you can give the excess plants to friends and neighbours.

Perennial divisions: How to do it.

Dig them up.

Identify the plants that are overgrown and dig them up using a garden fork. I like using a good quality garden fork as it damages fewer roots, but if all that you have is a spade or shovel, that is o.k. too. Make sure that you sharpen it on your grinder or use a Mark's Choice bastard file.

Drive the fork into the ground around the entire plant, without pushing down on it too much. The idea is to cut some of the roots before levering the root mass out of the ground. After you have completed the circle one time without using leverage, do it again only this time push down on the fork/spade ripping and tearing roots as you go. By the time you have completed your second pass around the plant chances are pretty good it will just 'pop' out of the ground.

Mature ornamental grasses are not so easy to 'pop' out of the ground. Often you will have to get right under the plant with a sharp spade or shovel and sever all of the roots under there. Otherwise you just have a fight on your hands and maybe a broken spade handle to show for your effort.

Take your time.

Once you have the plant - roots and all - out of the ground, you have a decision to make... how many divisions will you make?
I begin by cutting the root mass in 1/2. Yea - just like a pie.
Go for it and don't worry about hurting your perennial as it is just about completely dormant now anyway - mother nature gives your perennials sedatives this time of year so that you can do operations like this before the snow flies.

After I have divided the plant in 1/2 I do it again, dividing it into quarters.
If it is a really big plant you can divide it again.

Now you have a bunch of wedges sitting on the ground ready to plant. If you can't plant them right away, place them in a shady spot and water them thoroughly. Keep them wet until you can plant them or give them away.

Planting

When you plant your new divisions, use good quality soil (triple mix works nicely) and water them in well. I always plant my divisions just a centimeter or two deeper than the original plant grew. This anchors them for the winter. A 5 cm layer of soft wood bark mulch will help to ensure that the new divisions will not heave out of the ground during the freeze/thaw cycles.

What perennials are suitable for dividing?
- mature plants
- fibrous or fleshy roots systems
- out of bloom and dormant

Some of the best perennials for dividing this time of year are peonies, day lilies, rudebeckia, Shasta daisies, veronica (speedwell) and of course hostas.

While out there doing your thing with the perennials, remember to take some time to record the sights and sounds of the garden in your head to play back later. Like in the dead of winter. You won't regret it.

Keep your knees dirty,

Mark

Question of the Week

Q/ When should I plant spring-flowering bulbs?
A/ It is best to wait until night time temperatures are consistently below 13 degrees Celsius before planting spring-flowering bulbs. You can continue planting bulbs until the ground freezes. However, bulbs will root best if planted 6 weeks prior to the ground freezing. This allows the bulbs to start developing a good root system before the cold and dry winter.