Dividing Herbs To Create More Plants

I'm not really sure that you could possibly have too many herbs. I mean, if they seem to get out of hand I'm sure a neighbour, relative or friend would love a sweet gift out of the blue. And most herbs are multi-purposed. 

Many have uses in the kitchen, medicinally, aromatically and for craft... many have more than one use. Plus a good proportion of them are quite easy to divide as their roots are fibrous – so you can quickly and easily create many more plants by lifting them and dividing.

Timing - A good time to divide fibrous rooted herbs is after the growing season. For most climates this is  usually late summer through to autumn (fall). For plants in general, the best time to divide them is when they are resting, or dormant. This allows them the winter season to re-establish their roots in their new position before the next growing season. 

Creeping herbs such as mints and thymes can be easily divided by gently digging up a small mass of roots ( with 5 - 10cm / 2 - 4 inches of soil ), then use a sharp set of secateurs to make a clean cut from the main plant.

Clump forming, shrubby perennial plants like yarrows, valerian and tansy can be divided after flowering with a sharp blade, returning part of the clump into prepared ground.

Society garlic, chives and garlic chives all look great as a border. You can divide your chives or society garlic  "clumps" once they are large enough and create many new plants. Just trim the tops to about 10cm tall (or 4 inches)  and tidy up the stems and roots as you replant them.

Top Tips - Choosing healthy, vigorous parent plants to get the best resulting new plants from your division . Preparation is another thing to consider. By watering the stock (or parent) plant thoroughly the day before dividing you'll increase your success rate and the new plants will suffer less stress. 

Divide your plants on a day that is cool and cloudy. If you only have a particular day to do your division and it happens to be quite warm, get it done first thing in the morning or wait until evening, then make sure your new plants are shaded for several days. This helps reduce moisture loss and stress.

How To Divide - Gently lift the stock plant from the soil with a fork or spade. Divide into small clumps by first removing any vigorous young plantlets. If it's a really tightly packed clump, try placing two garden forks back to back and lever the handles together, gently shaking them at the same time. The plant will begin to separate as you work it. Gently untangles the roots and discard those that are damaged.

The centre of the clump is often is the older part, which can become woody over time. If you get plenty of new plants from your division you may as well get rid of the woody centre section as it will never be as vigorous as it has been in the past.

Make sure that each section (new plant) has a healthy root system, or your new divisions will just wilt and die.

Looking After New Divisions - It is best to plant up your new divisions immediately, to as close as possible to the same soil depth as the mother plant. Give your newly divided plants shade for the first week or so if the weather is hot and water them daily. If you take your divisions in late autumn (fall), protect the developing root system by mulching it well - especially if you live in an area that experiences frosts.

Herbs are not the only plants that can be propagated by division. Many other plants will ready divide - particularly in autumn (fall), after flowering has finished. It is a simple way to add to your garden and costs you only a bit of time and effort. The rewards are perennial :-)