Some of my favorite things about our home are the things family and friends have shared with us. My brother in law is an amazing maker and crafted a perfectly sized table in our entry way as a housewarming present. It is the first thing you see as you enter the house and is a sweet reminder of him every time we use it. My mom and dad gave me a painting that she painted and he framed. Every time I see it I think of my mom taking up painting as a retired elementary school teacher and how she thrilled to work with watercolors. I remember the hours my dad enjoyed working on projects in his shop. He would get so excited when he found a great piece of burled cedar or smooth walnut. He appreciated the color, texture and natural beauty of every piece of wood he worked with and the smell of fresh sawdust is still one of the sweetest smells in the world to me. These things add so much character to our home but when we head outdoors the blessings start to multiply.
Divide & Multiply
Just after we moved into our latest property my sister came to visit from Northern Virginia. She brought along with her a few pieces of lamb’s ear, a section of Lenten rose and a couple of peony roots. These have grown into the foundation plantings for two of our main flower beds. Every spring I get so excited to see these gifts grow more and more. These plants have history; a story to tell.
You see my grandfather was a gardener in the heart of Quincy, MA, just outside of Boston. They fed their family and many others through the Great Depression as they used the land God gave them right in in the middle of the city. He had a huge garden that took up most of their yard, chickens and even grape vines! He shared his appreciation for gardening and his peonies with my mom who raised us to love the process in Upstate New York. She shared them with my sister in Virginia who in turn blessed me in Tennessee. Those peonies have so much history!
As I look over our yard I see so many plants, both decorative and edible, that have been gifts from others and I strive to continue the blessing.
How to divide your plants
Root Plants
Sharing root plants is incredibly easy and beneficial for your plants, your own yard or better yet, for a friend! When you see the leaves a bit smaller or the plants are outgrowing their space it is time to divide. My favorite in-depth guide to dividing plants can be found at Garden Gate magazine. Their drawings of the root systems are very helpful. I’ve been most successful with this process in early spring while the ground is damp but not saturated. I take a shovel and cut parts of the plant (such as hosta or lamb’s ear) off the side and tuck it into its new home. If you are transporting the plants make sure the roots don’t dry out. My sister kept wet paper towels around the roots and transported them in a sealed plastic bag. Just make sure you don’t keep the plant in the sealed bag for more than 12-18 hours.
Bulbs
When spring flowering bulbs start to flower less and less, it’s time to divide in order to multiply. Divide bulbs after their foliage has died back so you can see where to dig without damaging any bulbs. A good rule of thumb is every 3-5 years to keep your plants flourishing. I tend to dig a few inches from where I think the bulb has grown in order to get any small outside bulb growth without causing damage. After digging up the bulbs I separate them and replant or share with a friend. Make sure you check each bulb as they should be firm. If you find any squishy ones throw them away to prevent the spread of any fungal issues or disease.
Seeds
Seed saving is one the easiest ways to share your garden wealth. Each year I am more and more convinced that saving my garden seeds not only saves me money but the resulting plants are healthier and more prolific each season. When the seed adapts each season to your specific soil and climate the results are fantastic and include larger blooms, hardier plants and larger harvests. When we share with our neighbors we all benefit from regionally adapted seed. If you don’t know where to find seeds in your area check out NextDoor, Facebook or a Seed Saver exchange at your local library.
So, the next time you are admiring your friend’s garden or an abundant plant in your neighborhood ask if they might want to share. It’s a great way to keep plants healthy and make a new friend!
What plants are in your yard that might bless someone?
