Gardening Tips with Stephanie Turner – Fall Dividing Perennials Guide

Sunnyvale, September 9, 2024 – Gardening Tips with Stephanie Turner

A bright and sunny day is on the horizon for Sunnyvale with temperatures expected to reach a high of 83°F. Wind will be blowing from the east-northeast at around five to 10 mph. As night falls, the skies will remain clear, and temperatures will drop to a cool 56°F. Winds are expected to be calm and vary in direction.

As fall approaches, it’s an excellent time to get ahead with garden maintenance. **Stephanie Turner**, a horticulture expert from the Clemson Cooperative Extension, has some practical advice for gardeners. According to Turner, certain perennials might show signs of needing division. She cites symptoms such as smaller flower production, overcrowded foliage, and the center of the plant dying back as indicators that it’s time to divide these plants.

**Dividing a perennial** involves slicing an established plant into multiple new plants. Each segment taken from the original plant will have both shoots and roots. These new pieces, known as divisions, can then grow into healthy plants and rejuvenate the parent plant by providing it with more space and access to resources. Turner recommends dividing spring- and summer-blooming perennials in early September when the weather is cooler and overcast. This timing helps reduce stress on the plants as the division disrupts their root system.

“For most perennials, you will find it is time to divide them every three to five years,” Turner advises. She suggests gardeners dig out the parent plant and cut back the foliage to about six inches in height. Once the roots are exposed, either by shaking off or rinsing the soil, gardeners can assess the best way to separate the plant. Some plants may easily pull apart by hand, while others might require a sharp tool like a spade or machete.

Plants such as **Hosta**, **daylily**, **black-eyed Susan**, **purple coneflower**, **beebalm**, and **yarrow** are ideal candidates for division in the fall. However, Turner cautions against dividing perennials with taproots, as they do not recover well from the process. Examples of such plants include **milkweed**, **columbines**, **oriental poppies**, **guara**, and **false indigo**.

For those seeking more detailed information, Turner directs readers to the **HGIC online factsheet 1150, Dividing Perennials**.

Upcoming Events

Several informative events are lined up in the coming weeks. On October 3, from noon to 1 p.m., the Greenwood County Extension office will host a **Lunch and Learn presentation about Fall Lawn Care**. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own snacks or lunch to the session.

Additionally, the **Woods in Your Backyard** program is scheduled to be held on September 11 at Asbury Hall in Wesley Commons. This event is tailored for landowners with less than ten acres of land, or for professionals who provide management assistance. The program aims to equip participants with straightforward stewardship practices to maintain and improve small woodlots. Registration is necessary and can be completed at eventbrite.com.

If you have questions or require assistance, Stephanie Turner can be reached at stepht@clemson.edu or 864-889-0541. The Extension office is located at 105 N. University St. and operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office can be contacted at 864-223-3264.

Community Involvement

Turner encourages the community to get involved and ensure their voices are heard. Should anyone wish to express their thoughts or concerns, submissions are welcome.