Issue 16Divide Ornamental Grasses

Time to Divide Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses can provide year round interest in most settings, adding movement and habitat to borders.
Valued as low-maintenance, quick-growing, hardy plants, many varieties grow well in poor soil, and they are fairly resistant to pests and diseases.
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Make New Plants Ornamental grasses can be divided in early spring, generally from March onwards before growth begins, and it is a great way to make new plants for free.
Usually division every two to three years is appropriate but if it has been several years since you last divided, you can divide the clump into quarters, instead of in half. A hollow centre in the plant can often indicate that it is time to divide ornamental grasses.
Very mature clumps are often hard to lift, so have a friend on hand to help out if possible.
You can divide even a small plant if you want to grow more grasses - as long as roots are present, you can expect a nice clump by autumn.
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What to do:

dig up the plant using a spade

part the foliage in the centre so you can see where the leaves naturally form rough clumps

push two garden forks into the crown of the plant back to back, using your foot to press the tines into the roots as far as possible

push both forks outwards, pulling the handles down, to split the plant into two sections

separate the sections and have a check all-round for any dead growth which can be pulled off

replant one section back into the original hole, and fill with compost, firming the ground with your heel

plant the other section either straight into a newly-dug hole, or further divide again. Most ornamental grasses grow easily and quickly from just a small division.

to encourage new root growth, use sharp scissors or secateurs to cut the stems in half

finish by giving the grasses a thorough watering

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