I want to divide some very large clumps of Geranium ‘Rozanne’ growing in my sunny front garden before they start growing again, but the ground is still very waterlogged after all the rain. Should I just go ahead, or would it be better to wait until the soil has dried out a bit? M. Fitzgerald, Dublin
The endless rain of recent months has presented gardeners with plenty of quandaries this spring in terms of how best to complete these kinds of routine seasonal jobs.
You’re right to be concerned about digging when the soil is still very wet or waterlogged, which risks causing compaction and reduced fertility. Cold, wet soil is also not conducive to the growth of freshly divided perennials, whose disturbed root systems can struggle to get established in these kinds of challenging conditions.
On the other hand, leave it too late, and your plants may still struggle to establish properly as their root systems will at that point be directing their energies into sustaining the production of lots of fresh new growth. The good news, however, is that you still have time on your side, so I’d suggest holding off until late March or early April, when conditions will hopefully have improved, but your plants will still re-establish quickly.
A few tips. Before digging, make sure to spread your weight by placing wide planks on the ground. Also have some wide boards at hand on which to place the freshly excavated clumps.
To minimise damage to the soil, leave these clumps on the boards as you use a sharp spade, saw, or two garden forks (placed back-to-back into the centre of the clump) to divide them into three or four smaller sections, each with its own generous amount of roots attached. Then replant quickly, labelling them and making sure to water them well.
This vigorous, hardy, pollinator-friendly variety of perennial geranium, famed for its lavender blue flowers and exceptionally long flowering period, grows to an average height and spread of 70cm-80cm, so make sure to give the new divisions sufficient space.
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