In autumn, the soil in your garden is still warm from the summer months. As a result, new plants will establish well before the cold winter sets in. This makes autumn the ideal season for planting and transplanting.

Get to work planting new, hardy plants. But autumn is also the season for propagating plants by cutting, dividing and tearing. Most perennials that grow in a tussock form are suitable for dividing. Examples include Helleborus, Rudbeckia, Women’s mantle, Ferns, Sunflower and Ornamental grasses.

How do you do that?

Choose the right time to divide your plants. The best time is usually in early spring or after flowering in fall when the plants are actively growing but not yet in bloom.

Use clean and sharp tools. To separate the root ball, a sharp knife is essential. This minimizes damage to the roots and prevents infections.

Look carefully at the health of the plant. It is better to discard parts of diseased or affected plants rather than propagate them.

Give the young plants some time to acclimate to their new environment. Put the plants in a shady spot for the first few days.

New plants often need extra water. Keep the soil moist but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

After planting, you can apply a layer of mulch around the new plants. This helps maintain moisture in the soil and can also suppress weed growth.