Wednesday, October 10, 2012

How to Divide Bulbs

I love to divide my iris bulbs every fall. This is the time of year to do it. Dividing bulbs not only gives you more lovely flowers come spring but helps the existing bulbs to bloom more. Every year I divide the same area and each spring the bulbs bloom more than the year before.

dividing bulbs, dutch iris

The best dividing tool is a large fork spade. Just dig gently down below the bulbs and lift. You will see the bulbs and can just scoop them up with your hand once they are unearthed.


When you replant put the flat end down and just recover the area you divided from.


This is the area I divide from each fall and you can see I still get loads of blooms come spring. This is an easy and free way to add more blooms to your garden.

dividing bulbs, dutch iris


16 comments:

  1. Thank you for the bulbs Elaine. They are in the ground so now the wait for life begins. Patty

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  2. I need to divide mine!!
    Good Tute!
    XO Kris

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  3. Such beautiful iris! And great information! Thank you!

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  4. Thanks for the reminder. I have spider lilies to MOVE and divide.

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  5. Great reminder... such pretty pictures for a dirty job!

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  6. I had completely forgotten my plan to divide my daffies until I read this post. Thanks! ~ Maureen

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  7. Oooh, thanks for the reminder! I need to divide my canna lillies. One of my friends requested some bulbs when I divided them, so I need to get on that.

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  8. You are awesome! I have never divided a bulb before.. I thought that once that were in the ground that they were out of my hands. guess I need to get workin!!! : )

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  9. Oh, thanks for this post, it is time for me to divide my bulbs. I hadn't even thought about it.

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  10. Thanks, Elaine...for the helpful tutorial. It's about time here in Bend to do my Fall planting and your timing is perfect.
    I hope you are having a nice week,
    Blessings,
    Carolynn

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  11. I remember learning this from my dad when I was very young. He is an avid gardener and nature lover. :-) have a wonderful week!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  12. Thank you for this Elaine, I just bought some iris' the other day...

    x

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  13. I need to find out the best time to plant bulbs around here!

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  14. Hi Elaine,
    I have a large cluster of dutch Iris by my waterless waterfall that I need to divide. Hoping to get to it Saturday. They really do perform better if you keep them from being overcrowded. Thanks so much for sharing this info with SYC.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  15. Hello Elaine, love dividing too - Iris are a big part of my garden...great tips - I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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