🌿 Divide and Conquer: Late-Fall Perennial Division

Give Your Garden a Fresh Start Before Winter

As the leaves fall and temperatures drop in Zone 6 gardens, there’s still important work to be done before winter’s chill settles in. Late fall is the perfect time to lift and divide your perennials — especially clump-forming favorites like daylilies, hostas, and irises. This not only keeps your garden healthy and vibrant but also gives you more plants for next season — a gardener’s favorite kind of bonus!

🌸 Why Divide Perennials Now?

By late fall, your perennials have finished their active growth and are preparing to rest for the winter. Dividing them now:

Prevents overcrowding that can lead to smaller blooms and root competition.
Revitalizes older plants by giving roots space to breathe.
Encourages stronger growth in spring.
Lets you expand or share your garden with family and friends.

The cool soil and mild moisture of November in Georgetown, MA (Zone 6a) provide the ideal conditions for division before the ground freezes.

🌼 Step-by-Step: How to Lift and Divide

1. Cut Back the Foliage

Trim leaves to about 4–6 inches above the soil line. This makes handling easier and reduces stress on the plant.

2. Dig Up the Clump

Use a sharp spade or garden fork to lift the entire root ball. Try to dig wide, giving plenty of space around the crown.

3. Separate the Roots

For daylilies, gently pull apart the fans of leaves, ensuring each division has roots and at least one healthy fan.
For hostas, slice the crown cleanly into sections using a sharp knife or spade.
For irises, break apart rhizomes and discard any old, woody, or diseased sections.

4. Amend and Replant

Work in Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus or Bulb-tone to boost root development and help plants reestablish before winter. Plant divisions at the same depth as before and water well.

5. Mulch for Winter Protection

Cover the newly planted divisions with Coast of Maine mulch or compost to insulate roots from freezing temperatures and frost heaving.

🌱 Pro Tip: Don’t Forget to Label!

When you’re dividing multiple varieties, label them before winter. Come spring, you’ll thank yourself for knowing which variety went where — especially with colorful daylilies and irises.

🛒 What You’ll Need

Find everything for your fall dividing project at Nunan’s Florist & Garden Center:

Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus and Bulb-tone
Coast of Maine mulch and compost
High-quality garden tools and gloves
Nunan Grown perennials ready for fall planting

❄️ Looking Ahead: Late-Fall & Winter Happenings

After your garden chores are complete, join us for upcoming holiday and community events at Nunan’s:

Sweet Paws “Holiday with the Pups” – Nov 15
Holiday Open House with Santa – Nov 30
Enjoy festive treats, visit Café Sarina, and experience the magic of the season surrounded by greenery and good company.

🌾 FAQ

Q: How late can I divide perennials in Zone 6?
A: You can divide until the ground begins to freeze — usually mid- to late November. Just allow 3–4 weeks for roots to settle before a hard freeze.

Q: Should I fertilize newly divided perennials?
A: Skip heavy fertilizer. Instead, use Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus, which contains mycorrhizae to stimulate root growth safely.

Q: What perennials shouldn’t be divided in fall?
A: Avoid tender or late-blooming perennials like asters, coreopsis, and chrysanthemums — wait until early spring for those.

🌻 Quick Takeaway

Dividing perennials in late fall keeps your garden thriving and gives you a head start on spring beauty. With the right soil amendments, mulch, and a little care, your plants will rest easy this winter and reward you with stronger growth next year.

🌷 Local & Authority Hook

At Nunan’s Florist & Garden Center in Georgetown, MA, we grow about 90% of our annuals and perennials in-house, so you can trust our advice and our plants. Whether you’re refreshing your flowerbeds or planning next season’s blooms, our team of trusted horticultural experts is here to guide you.

🌿 Visit Us or Shop Online

Stop by Nunan’s Florist & Garden Center at 269 Central Street, Georgetown, MA, or explore our live plant selection online at nunansdirect.com.
📲 Download Nunan’s customer loyalty app for exclusive deals and seasonal savings: https://apjl.app/nunans.