(The following is for folks in temperate areas of the northern hemisphere. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, read this again in six months.)
I’ve had a lot of folks asking me this month “What’s can I be propagating right now?” While the window for woody plants has largely closed until mid-to-late summer (at which time you can do budding and cuttings of many species), right now is a great time to be dividing perennials, especially culinary and medicinal herbs, and canefruit.
Divisions of Perennials in Spring
The easiest way to take divisions of most species is with a sharp spade, trowel, or hori hori. Your choice will depend on whether the plant is deeply or shallowly rooted (shovel or trowel/hori hori respectively). After the first few pokes with your tool of choice, you’ll get a good sense of how the roots are distributed on your subject plant, and be able to adjust your technique to maximize the amount of root that you’re able to dig out intact.
Sections of clumping, suckering, or creeping perennials can be dug out, separated, and potted up as individual plants, or planted directly into their permanent position. If you’re potting your divisions up, place them in a shady area (part-sun if its a sun-loving species). If you had a hard time dividing them with a lot of roots (will vary by species) keep them moist! After a 3-5 weeks, most species will have grown enough root to withstand at least partial drying of the soil. You can decrease the amount of water they’re getting at this point, but watch them for any signs that they’re drying out too much (wilted leaves that aren’t perking back up with waterings!).
At this point you’ll have plenty of plants to trade, sell, or give away!
Here are some species that take well to divisions in spring:
- Raspberry
- Blackberry
- Strawberry
- Echinacea
- Nettles
- Lemon Balm
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Marjoram
- Yarrow
- Comfrey
- Chives and Garlic Chives
- Mint
- And many many others…
Finding Plants to Divide
Very often I find that gardeners with established plantings LOVE to have someone come and thin their patches. If there is a permaculture or garden group listserv in your area, post to it with a list of plants you’re looking to divide, and wait for the responses. If you’re good at visually identifying the plants you want to divide, knock on doors when you see them in a yard.
For the last four years or so I’ve carried pruning shears, a hori hori, and plastic bags with me anytime I’m around town on my bike. This way, if I run across something I’ve just got to have, I’m prepared!
Further Resources
- While not about edibles, this is a good article about dividing perennials from Fine Gardening.
- Want information about a specific plant, check the species on the Plants for a Future database.
- For some good reading about setting up a Permaculture Nursery, check out Doug Bullock’s article on the subject.
Happy propagating!