Regardless of the time of year, there is always something to do in the garden. This week, Tom Kasper talks about three perennials that should only be divided in the fall.
Peonies, irises, and bleeding hearts are plants that are great to have in your garden in part because deer stay away from them. But if these plants have stopped blooming, dividing them may help. To divide these plants you need a shovel, a bread knife, and somewhere to put them.
Dig the plant completely out of the ground until you can see the roots, saw the roots into chunks (be sure to avoid damaging new stems that are red,) and plant a portion back into the soil. It will help to add bone meal to the soil, and to create a mound around the plant for extra insulation for winter. The baby plants can then be planted in new spots or shared with friends.
You can hear Tips for Hardy Gardeners every other Tuesday at 8:20am on Northland Morning.
